atonal
adjective
aton·al
(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nᵊl 
(ˌ)a-
: marked by avoidance of traditional musical tonality
especially
: organized without reference to key or tonal center and using the tones of the chromatic scale impartially
Examples of atonal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Go-to composer Alberto Iglesias can be counted on to provide his eclectic blend of melodic orchestral and atonal avant-garde styles.
—
Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2024
The Queen of Power Ballads is now the subject of her illness—stricken and isolated, with her famously mellifluous voice emitting involuntary, atonal moans.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 26 July 2024
There is no real tune and, as a result, the first minute is dangerously reminiscent of Bernard Hermann’s atonal Psycho score.
—Meg Walters, Vulture, 17 May 2024
Many would call him the master of modern [atonal] music — music that for most people does not sound melodic.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for atonal 
Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2024
The Queen of Power Ballads is now the subject of her illness—stricken and isolated, with her famously mellifluous voice emitting involuntary, atonal moans.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 26 July 2024
There is no real tune and, as a result, the first minute is dangerously reminiscent of Bernard Hermann’s atonal Psycho score.
—Meg Walters, Vulture, 17 May 2024
Many would call him the master of modern [atonal] music — music that for most people does not sound melodic.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for atonal
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Cite this Entry
“Atonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atonal. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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atonal
adjective
aton·al
(ˈ)ā-ˈtōn-əl
(ˈ)a-
: being music written without traditional organization based on a scale
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