set the tone
idiom
: to establish a quality, feeling, or attitude by a manner of speaking or writing
Her lighthearted question set the tone for the rest of the interview.
Examples of set the tone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That message set the tone for a month filled with remarkable developments in auditory accessibility.
—
Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
That set the tone for closer Ryan Helsley, who racked up three strikeouts in the ninth to slam the door.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Warm wood paneling and cool limestone floors set the tone, while a sleek, chef’s kitchen fitted with Wolf appliances and a 200-bottle wine cellar caters to both culinary and oenophilic pursuits.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2025
Managers set the tone for how teammates show appreciation and support for each other, so small, intentional actions by leaders to recognize the value of individual contributions can go a long way toward creating a culture where every teammate feels heard and an integral part of the greater whole.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set the tone
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
That set the tone for closer Ryan Helsley, who racked up three strikeouts in the ninth to slam the door.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Warm wood paneling and cool limestone floors set the tone, while a sleek, chef’s kitchen fitted with Wolf appliances and a 200-bottle wine cellar caters to both culinary and oenophilic pursuits.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2025
Managers set the tone for how teammates show appreciation and support for each other, so small, intentional actions by leaders to recognize the value of individual contributions can go a long way toward creating a culture where every teammate feels heard and an integral part of the greater whole.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set the tone
Cite this Entry
“Set the tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20the%20tone. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share