set the tone
idiom
: to establish a quality, feeling, or attitude by a manner of speaking or writing
Her lighthearted question set the tone for the rest of the interview.
Examples of set the tone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Under a system where the mayor controls the public schools, the boards are mostly advisory, though may set the tone for key education issues.
—
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
All the glitz, glamour, and chaos kicked off with the Gotham Awards, which set the tone for what promises to be an unpredictable and heated race.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Just 20 minutes can set the tone for your entire day, psychologist Joel Dyoskin told Make It in 2022.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Every year, Pantone declares the color of the next 12 months ahead: a hue to define the mood, set the tone both literally and figuratively.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for set the tone 
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.
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
All the glitz, glamour, and chaos kicked off with the Gotham Awards, which set the tone for what promises to be an unpredictable and heated race.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Just 20 minutes can set the tone for your entire day, psychologist Joel Dyoskin told Make It in 2022.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Every year, Pantone declares the color of the next 12 months ahead: a hue to define the mood, set the tone both literally and figuratively.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for set the tone
Dictionary Entries Near set the tone
Cite this Entry
“Set the tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20the%20tone. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share