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
Trump’s frustration with Canada has set the tone, and self-serving special interests have magnified his clarion call.
—
Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
What are the first press images that will come out and help set the tone?
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
His vets were serious about their craft, pushed their teammates in practice, set the tone when necessary and took care of the young guys.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
And beyond choosing the right drink for the cabin, there’s another good reason to sip wisely—a great drink can set the tone for the trip.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for set the tone
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Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
What are the first press images that will come out and help set the tone?
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
His vets were serious about their craft, pushed their teammates in practice, set the tone when necessary and took care of the young guys.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
And beyond choosing the right drink for the cabin, there’s another good reason to sip wisely—a great drink can set the tone for the trip.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
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 11 Feb. 2026.
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