tonal

adjective

ton·​al ˈtō-nᵊl How to pronounce tonal (audio)
Synonyms of tonalnext
1
: of or relating to tone, tonality, or tonicity
2
: having tonality
tonally adverb

Examples of tonal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Their pursuit leads them down a highly unusual path with no easy answers, and Bong masterfully balances tonal shifts from bleak tragedy to absurdist humor to highlight why the case remains so compelling. Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 That tonal high-wire act extended throughout the series beyond the music and into the work of the entire post-production sound team. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 June 2026 The gemstones were meticulously arranged in tonal gradients, progressing from deeper shades at the base to more luminous hues at the crest. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 11 June 2026 On noise, a Leesburg, Virginia, data center reduced low-frequency tonal noise by reengineering its fan mounts. Ed Maibach, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tonal

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonal was in 1776

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Cite this Entry

“Tonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonal. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

tonal

adjective
ton·​al ˈtōn-ᵊl How to pronounce tonal (audio)
: of or relating to a musical tone
tonally adverb

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