tune out

verb

tuned out; tuning out; tunes out
Synonyms of tune outnext

transitive verb

: to become unresponsive to : ignore

intransitive verb

: to dissociate oneself from what is happening or one's surroundings

Examples of tune out 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.
But this is not the time to just tune out and turn away from your neighbor. — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Porter, however, had long learned how to tune out the noise. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 June 2026 The Knicks tuned out their fans and detractors alike. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026 That often means tuning out the skeptics. — Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tune out

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tune out was in 1908

Rhymes for tune out

See All Rhymes for tune out

Browse Nearby Words

tuneless
tune out
tuner
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tune out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tune%20out. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tune out

verb
: to stop paying attention to what is happening or to one's surroundings
thinking about the work and tuning everything else out

More from Merriam-Webster on tune out

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tune out

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