set the tone

phrase

: 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

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But most importantly, the organizer of the bachelorette trip needs to set the tone so that everyone’s on the same page. — Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026 All season long the Valkyries have been able to set the tone defensively in their games. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Hadid immediately set the tone for not only the feminine prowess that would fill the stage but the ethereal beauty, too. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 The piece firmly set the tone for the brand, while cementing Vanguart’s reputation as the ‘CEO’s watch’, as it’s known in collector circles today—even if the brand still flies relatively under the radar. — Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for set the tone

Rhymes for set the tone

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Browse Nearby Words

set the stage
set the tone
set the wheels in motion
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Cite this Entry

“Set the tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20the%20tone. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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