tone-setter
noun
: a person or thing that determines or establishes a quality, feeling, or attitude
I like to use the joke as a tone-setter for my speeches.
Examples of tone-setter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Dolphins made a business decision, and so did Wilkins, a three-year captain and the tone-setter for last year’s team.
—
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 July 2024
Veteran tone-setter Al Horford capped one of the longest personal title droughts in NBA history, closing out Year 17 as a pro with his first championship in his 186th playoff game.
—Zack Cox, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024
This season, though, Spagnuolo has added a layer to the offseason programming in Kansas City — an intentional tone-setter, of sorts.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2024
Pacheco, 24, continues to operate as the Chiefs’ physical tone-setter, delivering punishing blows as a workhorse back who wears down defenses, extends drives and excels in short-yardage situations.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2024
Possibly the toughest move for the locker room would be parting ways with White, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and longtime tone-setter for Sean McDermott's defense.
—Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
What Ohio State’s rout of Western Kentucky means for a pivotal top-10 trip to Notre Dame
Ohio State’s defensive line woke up just in time for things to get serious: Stephen Means’ observations
The third-year cornerback has emerged as the tone-setter and the standard-lifter for the secondary.
—Nathan Baird, cleveland, 18 Sep. 2023
Terrance Williams/Associated Press The first shot of the season was a tone-setter.
—Julian Benbow, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2023
As the Bears try to build up their offense around quarterback Justin Fields, general manager Ryan Poles and his staff believe Wright can be a tone-setter on the line.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023
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Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 July 2024
Veteran tone-setter Al Horford capped one of the longest personal title droughts in NBA history, closing out Year 17 as a pro with his first championship in his 186th playoff game.
—Zack Cox, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024
This season, though, Spagnuolo has added a layer to the offseason programming in Kansas City — an intentional tone-setter, of sorts.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2024
Pacheco, 24, continues to operate as the Chiefs’ physical tone-setter, delivering punishing blows as a workhorse back who wears down defenses, extends drives and excels in short-yardage situations.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2024
Possibly the toughest move for the locker room would be parting ways with White, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and longtime tone-setter for Sean McDermott's defense.
—Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
What Ohio State’s rout of Western Kentucky means for a pivotal top-10 trip to Notre Dame
Ohio State’s defensive line woke up just in time for things to get serious: Stephen Means’ observations
The third-year cornerback has emerged as the tone-setter and the standard-lifter for the secondary.
—Nathan Baird, cleveland, 18 Sep. 2023
Terrance Williams/Associated Press The first shot of the season was a tone-setter.
—Julian Benbow, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2023
As the Bears try to build up their offense around quarterback Justin Fields, general manager Ryan Poles and his staff believe Wright can be a tone-setter on the line.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near tone-setter
Cite this Entry
“Tone-setter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-setter. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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