1
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
2
sometimes offensive
: having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste see usage paragraph at deaf entry 1
tone deafness
noun
Examples of tone-deaf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And then this week came perhaps the most tone-deaf moment yet.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
This comes after recent reports that Wintour has been trying to deal with the criticism, a lot of it coming from people calling the gala tone-deaf and inappropriate considering the cultural moment.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 May 2026
In a cultural moment when flaunting a designer bag feels tone-deaf, food provides perfect cover.
—Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
In a cultural moment when flaunting a designer bag feels tone-deaf, food provides perfect cover.
—Patrick Van Esch, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tone-deaf
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Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
This comes after recent reports that Wintour has been trying to deal with the criticism, a lot of it coming from people calling the gala tone-deaf and inappropriate considering the cultural moment.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 May 2026
In a cultural moment when flaunting a designer bag feels tone-deaf, food provides perfect cover.
—Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
In a cultural moment when flaunting a designer bag feels tone-deaf, food provides perfect cover.
—Patrick Van Esch, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tone-deaf
Cite this Entry
“Tone-deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-deaf. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tone-deaf
adjective
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
tone deafness
noun
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