tone

noun

ˈtōn How to pronounce tone (audio)
Definition of tonenext
1
as in style
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words the angry tone of his letter makes it clear he doesn't want to speak to me ever again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in shade
a property that becomes apparent when light falls on an object and by which things that are identical in form can be distinguished fall fashions in deep jewel tones

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in self
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others all that showbiz glitz is out of keeping with the tone of the college

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tone Destinations that combine crystal-clear seas, warm sand tones and unspoilt scenery consistently stand out as the places people most dream about visiting. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026 Yet this didn’t prevent him from obsessively thinking about the United States and what defined its ethos, tone, and literature. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026 Of course, brunettes hair has enjoyed some serious experimentation over the past year, with various graduations of the tone making waves. — Elle Turner, Glamour, 4 July 2026 In the image of Messier 94, a spiral galaxy that’s also known as NGC 4736, Chandra’s X-ray data becomes a whistling wind while dense features such as neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes ring in crystalline tones from a glass marimba. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tone
  1. style
  2. shade
  3. self
  4. mode
  5. color
  6. nature
  7. manner
  8. hue
Noun
  • Miles of security fencing now surround the National Mall, with extensive road closures and airport-style screening at entrances to both the Great American State Fair and the Salute to America event.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • This pretty jean skirt has a stretchy drawstring waistband and two deep front pockets that add a laidback touch to the midi style.
    — Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of style
Noun
  • Along with the main shades in the lineup, there are seven color-correcting options that neutralize, brighten, and leave skin looking more refined.
    — Tanya Sharma, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • The only figure, man or woman, not shown wearing identical American-flag blue is the poet Phillis Wheatley, who wears a pastel shade and who also happens to be the only Black person featured in the gallery.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Herlop will self-release her follow-up to 2023’s Nekkuja on October 9.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
  • Audiologists generally recommend self-fitting over preset for that reason.
    — Allison Palmer July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of self
Noun
  • To characterize the new mode, Kyle Uckert, SHERLOC’s deputy principal investigator at NASA’s JPL, and his colleagues collected spectra from spare flight optics in their own lab.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 4 July 2026
  • Dick arrives as the Clippers are in rebuild mode following the trade of Leonard.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Definition of mode
Noun
  • And when Pawlak woke up the next day, the sun was high in the sky and the ocean was the color of dark blue Gatorade.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Ironically, though, her flushed and rosy cheeks were created with two shades of the Beauty Pie Supercheek Cream Blush — one of which was in her iconic color palette, while the other was actually — gasp!
    — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Definition of color
Noun
  • The true luxury lies in its unmatched convenience at a semi-affordable price point, blending the effortless nature of private aviation with the accessibility of commercial travel.
    — Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • There’s still a championship-level tension in the air, but the relaxed nature of the sport creates a unique environment.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of nature
Noun
  • But even here, where the damage is being done gleefully and wantonly, the US Congress has stood up to these funding cuts in a bipartisan manner.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026
  • The platform should be structured in a manner that is intuitive, engaging and easy to navigate, enabling employees to quickly locate relevant information and resources.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of manner
Noun
  • While warm, earthy walls create a harmonious look, cooler hues, such as soft blues and grays, add a refreshing contrast.
    — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026
  • Researchers recently visualized a set of images across a spectrum of red, white, and blue hues compiled by the Chandra X-ray Observatory as well as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Definition of hue

Browse Nearby Words

tonal
tone
toned-down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tone. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tone

Nglish: Translation of tone for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tone

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