tones

noun

plural of tone
1
as in modes
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 shades
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 natures
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 tones The song is a dreamy barn-raiser, hoisting this premise on warm guitar tones and a plaintive tone that proves a through-line throughout the record. — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026 In today’s commercial age of plenty, the most important task of the dust jacket is to match a book to your mood, from the pastoral watercolor tones of the travel narrative or cosy domestic romance, to the dark hues of the murder mystery. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 Abdalla’s fall refresh enhances her brunette base by darkening her roots and replacing those golden ribbons with warm brunette tones for lived-in dimension. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2026 All shades of brown have also been a part of 2025’s color story, from deep chocolate to sandy tones. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026 Their voice is gone, longtime public address announcer Lawrence Tanter dying last month at age 76 after more than four decades of dulcet downtown tones. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Le Bistrot de Jan is a lovely jewel box just off the lobby, with glittering chandeliers and walls and furniture in deep sapphire and ruby tones. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Oct. 2026 Color is becoming more diverse, moving beyond traditional indigo into earthy browns, light greys, ecru, natural tones and brighter blues. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 Nordic drama is still often associated internationally with crime, darker tones and a certain visual restraint. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tones
  1. modes
  2. shades
  3. natures
  4. manners
  5. colors
  6. personalities
  7. styles
  8. hues
Noun
  • There’s also an entire suite of competitive multiplayer modes from simple team deathmatch to a full-on battle royale.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Both front seats get three-stage heating and ventilation, while the driver's seat also offers multiple massage modes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of modes
Noun
  • For true inky blue options, Cracked Crowfriend and Habit Deep Sea are creamy, deep shades.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The sleeveless number sported a high boat neckline and consisted of three colored block panels in two distinct shades.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of shades
Noun
  • Dark matter and dark energy, also not yet directly observed, together are the source of the vast majority of energy in the universe, but their physical natures are unknown.
    — Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Create characters built around lifepaths, natures, clan traits, and merits.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of natures
Noun
  • The problem isn’t so much a question of bad manners or even of corruption.
    — Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
  • On the Awesome Etiquette podcast, Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning answer your questions on, well, pressing manners.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of manners
Noun
  • Look for vibrant colors, feel whether an item is firm or soft and check that herbs smell fragrant.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Although denim can be produced in many colors, it is most associated with indigo blue.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of colors
Noun
  • Lisa locks Bart, Milhouse, and Nelson in a room and introduces them to her many personalities, some more hostile than others.
    — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Fox News personalities Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt are married.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of personalities
Noun
  • New styles often start small, at high-end retailers or niche brands, and the volume comes later.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Designers who continue to embrace punk and Goth styles include Alexander McQueen, Comme des Garçons, Vivienne Westwood, Versace, Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs and Gareth Pugh amongst others.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of styles
Noun
  • And, to really throw everyone for a loop, ditch the heavy winter hues for ballerina pink, even adding a holographic finish if that ballerina has a rebellious streak.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Darker denim tones have really come into their own in the past year, and chocolate hues in particular are a fall fashion trend that shows no signs of slowing down in winter.
    — Georgia Trodd, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of hues

Browse Nearby Words

toners
tones
tones (down)
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Cite this Entry

“Tones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tones. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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