1
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
2
: having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste
The White House long ago concluded that she is aloof and politically tone-deaf …—
Michael Duffy
Michael DuffyAt the time, I wondered how such an intelligent man could be so tone-deaf to the harsh realities facing the nation …—Peniel E. Joseph
Peniel E. Joseph
tone deafness
noun
Examples of tone-deaf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But more damaging than the cringe of a tone-deaf tweet about diversity is when companies give up on the performance altogether.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 6 Sep. 2024
Then there’s the tone-deaf depiction of an Indigenous healer in traditional attire during gruesome passages that imply Jesús has been cursed since birth.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024
Meek Mill is not the only rapper to share his opinion on the tone-deaf statement.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 16 Aug. 2024
Marketing tactics that boast about AI’s ability to render meaningful activities — like, say, painting, or writing a letter with your daughter — worth little more than a single button-click come across as deeply tone-deaf to a population who is already anxious about the future of the technology.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tone-deaf 
Allison Morrow, CNN, 6 Sep. 2024
Then there’s the tone-deaf depiction of an Indigenous healer in traditional attire during gruesome passages that imply Jesús has been cursed since birth.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024
Meek Mill is not the only rapper to share his opinion on the tone-deaf statement.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 16 Aug. 2024
Marketing tactics that boast about AI’s ability to render meaningful activities — like, say, painting, or writing a letter with your daughter — worth little more than a single button-click come across as deeply tone-deaf to a population who is already anxious about the future of the technology.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tone-deaf
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tone-deaf.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tone-deaf
Cite this Entry
“Tone-deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-deaf. Accessed 22 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tone-deaf
adjective
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
tone deafness
noun
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