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

During Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival in 2018, Parker discussed the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, and acknowledged the tunnel vision Sex and the City often exhibited with regard to both race and sexuality. — Jami Ganz, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026

Tez shares his insecurities and mythology with Fogel in talking head sequences from land, but at no point does the director ever shake his subject out of the tunnel vision necessary to advance his project. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

And antitrust law can only operate with tunnel vision on individual cases. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Yet Reagan, especially at Reykjavik, was hobbled at times by rigidity and tunnel vision. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1929, 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