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
Plan for some entertainment Music and entertainment can set the tone of the party.
—
Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
Foxwell and the Pilots used an early 13-0 run to set the tone to grab an 18-5 lead, then kept their foot on the accelerator to extend the gap to 33-11.
—Oc Register, 22 Nov. 2025
Regardless of what his actual stats are, the Hurricanes need their veteran quarterback to set the tone.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Nov. 2025
With tournament implications, personal grudges, and high emotions on deck, this SmackDown could set the tone for major storylines heading into Survivor Series.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set the tone
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Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
Foxwell and the Pilots used an early 13-0 run to set the tone to grab an 18-5 lead, then kept their foot on the accelerator to extend the gap to 33-11.
—Oc Register, 22 Nov. 2025
Regardless of what his actual stats are, the Hurricanes need their veteran quarterback to set the tone.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Nov. 2025
With tournament implications, personal grudges, and high emotions on deck, this SmackDown could set the tone for major storylines heading into Survivor Series.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 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 26 Nov. 2025.
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