undertone

Plural: undertones

Noun

• a quiet or hushed tone of voice
  • "spoke in undertones"
• a subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning
• a pale or subdued color
• An auditory tone of low pitch or volume.
• An implicit message perceived subtly alongside, but not detracting noticeably from, the explicit message conveyed in or by a book, film, speech or similar (contrast with overtone); an undercurrent.
• A pale colour, or one seen underneath another colour.
• A low state of the physical faculties.

Verb

• To accompany as an undertone.
• To say or speak in an undertone.
• To present as less important, noticeable or prominent.

Synonyms

tinge, undercurrent, de-emphasize, downplay, underhue

Antonyms

accent, accentuate, overtone