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.
When a celebrity constantly reinvents themselves without a clear sense of purpose or authenticity, audiences start to tune out. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025 And, of course, teens will love tuning out the rest of the world with these five-star Bluetooth wireless earbuds. Anja Webb, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025 Members, however, should tune out the Jefferies note for two reasons. Morgan Chittum,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2025 Shutdown talk is nowhere on Wall Street, which gets less animated by local economy stories anyway and has also started to tune out Washington chaos — for better or worse. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 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 11 Oct. 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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