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
Snell is taking the mound on Monday for Game 1 of the NLCS on the road, taking on the responsibility of trying to set the tone for the series.
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Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The landscapes feel plucked from an epic poem, and centuries of battles, folklore, and ancient clans set the tone for a vibrant culture steeped in history.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
Tata Capital’s listing on Monday, followed by LG Electronics India the next day, are expected to set the tone for future IPOs in India, Bloomberg wrote.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2025
While many factors are outside the board’s control, the opportunity to set the tone for well-being as an imperative—not a nice to have—can start with us.
—Lara Abrash, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set the tone
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Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The landscapes feel plucked from an epic poem, and centuries of battles, folklore, and ancient clans set the tone for a vibrant culture steeped in history.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
Tata Capital’s listing on Monday, followed by LG Electronics India the next day, are expected to set the tone for future IPOs in India, Bloomberg wrote.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2025
While many factors are outside the board’s control, the opportunity to set the tone for well-being as an imperative—not a nice to have—can start with us.
—Lara Abrash, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 20 Oct. 2025.
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