tunnel vision

noun

1

: constriction of the visual field resulting in loss of peripheral vision

2

: extreme narrowness of viewpoint : narrow-mindedness

also : single-minded concentration on one objective

tunnel-visioned

ˈtə-nᵊl-ˈvi-zhənd 

adjective

Examples of tunnel vision in a Sentence

His tunnel vision made sensible discussions on political issues nearly impossible.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their light can quickly flicker on and off when they get swept up in their emotions and have tunnel vision. —Lisa Stardust, People.com, 16 July 2025

What felt like vision turns out to be tunnel vision. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Alex also shows high drive and humanity, which may lead to over-accommodating behavior and tunnel vision without adequate support from temperance, humility, or transcendence. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

But my outsized feelings of enclosure and entrapment were the tunnel vision of a forty-year-old fear crashing through my long and studied insulation. —Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tunnel vision

• cablevision
• circumcision
• imprecision
• indecision
• subdivision
• supervision
• television
• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division

Kids Definition

tunnel vision

noun

1

: narrowing of the field of vision resulting in loss of side vision

2

: a tendency to be extremely focused on something or on a part of something (as a problem or plan) while ignoring other factors

Medical Definition

tunnel vision

noun

: constriction of the visual field resulting in loss of peripheral vision