high-toned

adjective

ˈhī-ˈtōnd 

1

: high in social, moral, or intellectual quality

2

: pretentious, pompous

Examples of high-toned in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Blake is accused of having drifted into high-toned seriousness; Albert, now writing for television, is branded a sellout. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025

Bright high-toned notes of cherry and strawberry show on the palate with an intriguing texture that hints at a bit of tannin. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

The notes of high-toned bright fruit—think sour cherry, balsamic and black tea flavors—lend it a lovely sweet-savory profile. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

This one is savory and delicate with bright high-toned berry fruit, warm spices and a thread of richer, dark plum notes. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

This version from Pala winery hits the high-toned cherry fruit notes, while wild herbs resonate on the finish. —Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

Syrah lends depth and body to the region’s signature malbec’s high-toned blueberry fruit and supple tannins. —Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 21 Dec. 2023

The last decade surely produced some of the finest television ever, spanning high-toned dramas and offbeat comedies, several of them masterpieces unlikely to have been made under any other circumstances. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 6 June 2023

Blending syrah into the region’s signature malbec lends depth and body to malbec’s high-toned blueberry fruit and supple tannins. —Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for high-toned

• enlightened
• brightened
• frightened
• heightened
• lightened
• tightened
• unenlightened