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
Lynch said Jones is the perfect tone-setter for this Mount Carmel edition.
—
Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
His propensity to work counts is a tone-setter.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2025
The first-team All-Trinity League selection is a tone-setter for the defense.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
While Nick Scott, a six-year veteran, was re-signed in free agency, the Panthers needed a tone-setter on defense.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
The soundtrack is built from widely recognizable classic rock songs, and the opening title sequence (with a theme written by Abrams himself) is a snazzy tone-setter clearly inspired by Hot Wheels.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
Suggs has become a defensive tone-setter and locker room leader whose toughness sets the tone for the rest of the roster.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
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Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
His propensity to work counts is a tone-setter.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2025
The first-team All-Trinity League selection is a tone-setter for the defense.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
While Nick Scott, a six-year veteran, was re-signed in free agency, the Panthers needed a tone-setter on defense.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
The soundtrack is built from widely recognizable classic rock songs, and the opening title sequence (with a theme written by Abrams himself) is a snazzy tone-setter clearly inspired by Hot Wheels.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
Suggs has become a defensive tone-setter and locker room leader whose toughness sets the tone for the rest of the roster.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tone-setter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-setter. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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