English verb: tone down | |||
1. | tone down (perception) deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping | ||
Synonyms | damp, dampen, dull, muffle, mute | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | soften | ||
2. | tone down (communication) make less strong or intense; soften | ||
Samples | Tone down that aggressive letter. The author finally tamed some of his potentially offensive statements. | ||
Synonyms | moderate, tame | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | alter, change, modify | ||