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
Relevance
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
The breathable cotton quilt is lightweight enough to use year-round, but the warm tones beckon for fall.
—
Sheri Kaz, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Chocolate tones seem to melt seamlessly into deeper skin, amplifying its natural glow instead of competing with it.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 6 Oct. 2025
The women talked about the event in quiet tones, trading stories of their own near-misses when their children were small—the sorts of scary stories that become funny anecdotes after nothing bad happens, like the time Mollie’s baby fell off a sled on the way home from Fort Greene Park.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The midi dress featured a champagne gold tone with sequins and tulle throughout.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tone
Sheri Kaz, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Chocolate tones seem to melt seamlessly into deeper skin, amplifying its natural glow instead of competing with it.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 6 Oct. 2025
The women talked about the event in quiet tones, trading stories of their own near-misses when their children were small—the sorts of scary stories that become funny anecdotes after nothing bad happens, like the time Mollie’s baby fell off a sled on the way home from Fort Greene Park.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The midi dress featured a champagne gold tone with sequins and tulle throughout.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tone
Noun
-
In the face of that, Keaton’s off- and sometimes on-duty style represented limitless possibilities, and a previously incomprehensible kind of freedom.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Today, this restaurant wins over patrons with American-style comfort fare, like burgers, steaks, and sweet potato casserole.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The museum will also build a new welcome center, gift shop and open-air event pavilion with a permanent roof structure for shade.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
-
An oversized leather jacket and jeans will keep things comfy, while a neutral shoulder bag and trendy shades give the look a casual chic finish.—
Clare Holden,
Glamour,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This season, with more self-belief and ice time and carryover chemistry with Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm, Geekie makes the most of his first-line ride.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Then, in late September, Inman Grant asked 16 more companies, ranging from gaming platforms such as Roblox to messaging apps such as WhatsApp, to self-assess whether the ban should also apply to them.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As detailed in the game’s big reveal, Black Ops 7 will once again be bursting at the seams with gameplay modes — somehow, even more than before.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The baseline suction level is already strong, but the boost mode is on another level.—
Lauren Arzbaecher,
Architectural Digest,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The result is containers that pack three times as much color and weeks of successive flowering in spring.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The bright pink and green exterior of the secluded river lodge perfectly matched her and her fiancé's wedding colors.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Aventura Mall’s policy prohibits the possession of weapons of any nature on the property.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
If the Teslas were $7,500 cheaper, their spare nature would be a lot more palatable.—
Patrick George,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But while Barcelona’s 4-1 battering at the hands of Sevilla on Sunday — their heaviest loss in La Liga for over 10 years — will go down as a major shock, the manner of their defeat will be of little surprise to those who have endured the full thrill of Hansi Flick’s reign.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
There is no record of how William’s wife greeted the news of the instant stepson with the polished manners, who impressed even his hard-driving grandfather.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The dark brown didn’t wash out like bright hues in early cameras’ filters, and its viscosity and flow is eerily similar to a thick line of fresh blood.—
Mark Hay,
Popular Science,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The collection — about 80 to 90 pieces — leans into easy caftans, terry hoodies and airy gowns, in bright hues, tie-dyes, organic cottons and satins.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tone. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share