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

Ly emphasized that aspiring creators need to prioritize authenticity, lean into quirks and let the animal set the tone. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Making intentional changes each morning can set the tone for better heart health and make a meaningful difference over time. — Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 28 July 2026

The mood of Nottingham Forest’s pre-season training camp in Portugal last summer set the tone for what was to come. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Woods, chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets, said Monday that the Fed’s interest-rate decision could set the tone for the week. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 27 July 2026

Rhymes for set the tone

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