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
Plus the Mavs tone-deaf attempts to justify the trade keep making everything worse.
—Zach Harper, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
For her first appearance in the popular sketch, Carpenter took on Ariana Grande's role as the tone-deaf bestie singing at a couple's vow renewal.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2025
Then came the moment that finally bled through this barrier between the undeniably tone-deaf Hollywood fantasia and horrifying rolling news: Michael Moore taking to the podium to accept his best-documentary-feature Oscar for Bowling for Columbine and condemning the then president, George W. Bush.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
The character’s history is silly, tone-deaf, and rife with stereotypes.
—Darren Franich, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tone-deaf
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.
Zach Harper, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
For her first appearance in the popular sketch, Carpenter took on Ariana Grande's role as the tone-deaf bestie singing at a couple's vow renewal.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2025
Then came the moment that finally bled through this barrier between the undeniably tone-deaf Hollywood fantasia and horrifying rolling news: Michael Moore taking to the podium to accept his best-documentary-feature Oscar for Bowling for Columbine and condemning the then president, George W. Bush.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
The character’s history is silly, tone-deaf, and rife with stereotypes.
—Darren Franich, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tone-deaf
Cite this Entry
“Tone-deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-deaf. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tone-deaf
adjective
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
tone deafness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share