tune out

verb

tuned out; tuning out; tunes out

transitive verb

: to become unresponsive to : ignore

intransitive verb

: to dissociate oneself from what is happening or one's surroundings

Examples of tune out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The music isn't too loud to tune out and the chairs are comfortable. Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Headphones and Bluetooth speakers got multiple recommendations as well, for the sake of distraction and tuning out hospital background noise. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 12 Aug. 2025 The public seems so tuned-in to roster construction and ready to tune out for the games. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 16 July 2025 But Wall Street barely flinched Monday, opting to tune out the Trump show and stay focused on the relatively cheerier programming on the horizon: a strong corporate earnings season beginning this week and signs that the economy is still in decent shape. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tune out

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tune out was in 1908

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tune out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tune%20out. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

tune out

verb
: to stop paying attention to what is happening or to one's surroundings
thinking about the work and tuning everything else out

More from Merriam-Webster on tune out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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