atonal

1 of 2

adjective

aton·​al (ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nᵊl How to pronounce atonal (audio)
(ˌ)a-
Synonyms of atonalnext
: marked by avoidance of traditional musical tonality
especially : organized without reference to key or tonal center and using the tones of the chromatic scale impartially
atonalism
(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce atonal (audio)
(ˌ)a-
noun
atonalist
(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-list How to pronounce atonal (audio)
(ˌ)a-
noun
atonality
ˌā-tō-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce atonal (audio)
ˌa-
noun
atonally
(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-lē How to pronounce atonal (audio)
(ˌ)a-
adverb

atonalism

2 of 2

noun

aton·​al·​ism (ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce atonalism (audio) (ˌ)a- How to pronounce atonalism (audio)
plural -s
1
: the avoidance of traditional tonality as a principle of musical composition
2
: musical composition in atonal style
3
: the theory of atonal composition

Examples of atonal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Other cuts start as pop songs before crashing into atonal messes and freak rock chaos. — Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025 Some of it is almost atonal and experimental. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026 The first concert starts with Ciani’s signature ocean sounds before Cunningham’s chords—dull, glassy—add an atonal sheen. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026 In this new narrative, the history of atonal music’s liberation from the constraints of conventional Western music begins not in Europe but in Mexico. — Julie Walsh, Artforum, 6 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for atonal

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

a- entry 2 + tonal

First Known Use

Adjective

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atonal was in 1911

Rhymes for atonal

See All Rhymes for atonal

Browse Nearby Words

atonable
atonal
atonalism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Atonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atonal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

atonal

adjective
aton·​al (ˈ)ā-ˈtōn-əl How to pronounce atonal (audio)
(ˈ)a-
: being music written without traditional organization based on a scale
atonality
ˌā-tō-ˈnal-ət-ē How to pronounce atonal (audio)
noun
atonally
(ˈ)ā-ˈtōn-ə-lē How to pronounce atonal (audio)
(ˈ)a-
adverb

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