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
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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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
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 18 Sep. 2025.
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