set the tone

phrase

: 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

That act toward a people reborn in their ancient homeland set the tone for everything that followed. — Naftali Bennett, Time, 9 July 2026

This start, one which set the tone for the Giants’ 15-3 blowout loss to the Colorado Rockies, will go down as one of the worst of his career. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

The fireworks set the tone in an 11-4 loss for the pinstripers. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

As Two Cities turns 10, the success of Army of Shadows and The Yank, neither of which have American buyers as of yet, could set the tone for its future. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 3 July 2026

Rhymes for set the tone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone