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
These artists bring a distinct voice to the moment, helping set the tone for a day that will captivate fans around the world.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Any momentum from Small Business Saturday into the holiday season will be watched with a close eye by small business owners and the city, as a strong weekend could set the tone for a more resilient year ahead.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 29 Nov. 2025
That set the tone, and San Jose hardly threatened Mackenzie Blackwood on the other end of the ice during the opening frame.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 27 Nov. 2025
Dimon has been one of the staunchest advocates for a return to the office, mandating earlier this year that most employees work onsite five days a week, an edict that’s set the tone for tougher policies across Wall Street.
—Jack Sidders, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
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Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Any momentum from Small Business Saturday into the holiday season will be watched with a close eye by small business owners and the city, as a strong weekend could set the tone for a more resilient year ahead.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 29 Nov. 2025
That set the tone, and San Jose hardly threatened Mackenzie Blackwood on the other end of the ice during the opening frame.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 27 Nov. 2025
Dimon has been one of the staunchest advocates for a return to the office, mandating earlier this year that most employees work onsite five days a week, an edict that’s set the tone for tougher policies across Wall Street.
—Jack Sidders, Fortune, 27 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 6 Dec. 2025.
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