tone-setter
noun
: a person or thing that determines or establishes a quality, feeling, or attitude
I like to use the joke as a tone-setter for my speeches.
Examples of tone-setter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Game 1, the tone-setter of the NBA Finals, sat available for the taking like a last slice of pizza.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
Paul wants the offensive line to be a tone-setter, a goal that’s apparently been stated by offensive line coach Zach Yenser.
—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2026
Minnesota — Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri With both Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason facing free agency, the Vikings could opt for a tone-setter like Hardy in the draft.
—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
As the Bears try to build up their offense around Fields, general manager Ryan Poles and his staff believed Wright could be a tone-setter on the line.
—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Greenlaw, a 2019 fifth-round pick, spent his first six seasons with the 49ers and was a defensive tone-setter.
—
Eric Branch,
San Francisco Chronicle,
9 Mar. 2026
That was exactly the kind of tone-setter Arlington Catholic aimed for, understanding the urgency at hand.
—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
But the tone-setter is senior guard Elizabeth Amoroso who was just named Daily News Athlete of the Week for her recent performances this postseason, which included a playoff game with nine assists and another with 15 points.
—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Marcus Thompson Ii,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
Paul wants the offensive line to be a tone-setter, a goal that’s apparently been stated by offensive line coach Zach Yenser.
—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2026
Minnesota — Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri With both Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason facing free agency, the Vikings could opt for a tone-setter like Hardy in the draft.
—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
As the Bears try to build up their offense around Fields, general manager Ryan Poles and his staff believed Wright could be a tone-setter on the line.
—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Greenlaw, a 2019 fifth-round pick, spent his first six seasons with the 49ers and was a defensive tone-setter.
—
Eric Branch,
San Francisco Chronicle,
9 Mar. 2026
That was exactly the kind of tone-setter Arlington Catholic aimed for, understanding the urgency at hand.
—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
But the tone-setter is senior guard Elizabeth Amoroso who was just named Daily News Athlete of the Week for her recent performances this postseason, which included a playoff game with nine assists and another with 15 points.
—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tone-setter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-setter. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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