tone-setter
noun
: a person or thing that determines or establishes a quality, feeling, or attitude
I like to use the joke as a tone-setter for my speeches.
Examples of tone-setter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That was exactly the kind of tone-setter Arlington Catholic aimed for, understanding the urgency at hand.
—
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
But the tone-setter is senior guard Elizabeth Amoroso who was just named Daily News Athlete of the Week for her recent performances this postseason, which included a playoff game with nine assists and another with 15 points.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
The games are underway, and even if the Detroit Tigers’ 20-3 loss to the New York Yankees in the Grapefruit League opener wasn’t the riveting tone-setter fans might have dreamed of, spring training is a long process.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Center Aaron Brewer, who established himself as a true team leader in his second season with the Dolphins, was the tone-setter.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Guerrero is a tone-setter for this offense, and his struggles at the plate have been a key reason for the slide.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Lynch said Jones is the perfect tone-setter for this Mount Carmel edition.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
The first-team All-Trinity League selection is a tone-setter for the defense.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Out now, the first episode serves as a tone-setter with a conversation from Troxler and Patrick on their own.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
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Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
But the tone-setter is senior guard Elizabeth Amoroso who was just named Daily News Athlete of the Week for her recent performances this postseason, which included a playoff game with nine assists and another with 15 points.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
The games are underway, and even if the Detroit Tigers’ 20-3 loss to the New York Yankees in the Grapefruit League opener wasn’t the riveting tone-setter fans might have dreamed of, spring training is a long process.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Center Aaron Brewer, who established himself as a true team leader in his second season with the Dolphins, was the tone-setter.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Guerrero is a tone-setter for this offense, and his struggles at the plate have been a key reason for the slide.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Lynch said Jones is the perfect tone-setter for this Mount Carmel edition.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
The first-team All-Trinity League selection is a tone-setter for the defense.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Out now, the first episode serves as a tone-setter with a conversation from Troxler and Patrick on their own.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Tone-setter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-setter. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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