1
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
2
: having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste
The White House long ago concluded that she is aloof and politically tone-deaf …—
Michael Duffy
Michael DuffyAt the time, I wondered how such an intelligent man could be so tone-deaf to the harsh realities facing the nation …—Peniel E. Joseph
Peniel E. Joseph
tone deafness
noun
Examples of tone-deaf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The premise itself is tone-deaf, and it’s not helped by the way this show leans into the appropriation of Black beauty rather than questioning and challenging it.
—Jihan Forbes, Allure, 29 Oct. 2025
Many have accused me of being tone-deaf.
—Marc Brackett, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead, the interview became infamous due to Andrew’s defensive and tone-deaf answers.
—Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Well, not just for his karaoke performance, but for what many golf fans see as a tone-deaf response to a serious issue.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
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Jihan Forbes, Allure, 29 Oct. 2025
Many have accused me of being tone-deaf.
—Marc Brackett, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead, the interview became infamous due to Andrew’s defensive and tone-deaf answers.
—Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Well, not just for his karaoke performance, but for what many golf fans see as a tone-deaf response to a serious issue.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
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 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tone-deaf
adjective
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
tone deafness
noun
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