SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
undertone
noun
A subtle quality, feeling, or suggestion beneath the main meaning; also a low tone of voice.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Subtle underlying quality
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAn undertone lies beneath the dominant meaning or mood. Overtone can describe an additional association that is less hidden or subdued.
Low tone of voice
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAn undertone is quiet but need not be a whisper. A mutter is low speech that may also be indistinct or dissatisfied.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See undertone in use
Her otherwise cheerful message carried an undertone of concern.
In a second discussion, the presenter made a caustic remark about the committee's planning skills, turning a legitimate concern into a cutting personal jab. His sardonic comment that another delay was exactly what the project needed conveyed bitter mockery rather than sincere approval. Beneath his later polite words, an undertone of resentment remained noticeable in the emphasis he placed on certain names.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license