tone-deaf

adjective

ˈtōn-ˌdef How to pronounce tone-deaf (audio)
1
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
2
sometimes offensive : having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste see usage paragraph at deaf entry 1
tone deafness noun

Examples of tone-deaf 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.
Political analysts say the comments from top Republicans risk coming across as tone-deaf to voters struggling with high prices. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Some critics attacked it as tone-deaf, given the war in Iran and the attendant, spiralling gas prices. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026 Apparently tone-deaf to the escalating backlash over destructive book scanning, a logo on the door of that team’s warehouse, VGT3, showed a Tyrannosaurus rex preparing to devour a book, 404 Media documented. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026 The timing and tone-deaf way it was announced deserve to be called out. — Tyrone E. Keys Jr, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tone-deaf

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tone-deaf was in 1883

Rhymes for tone-deaf

See All Rhymes for tone-deaf

Browse Nearby Words

toned-down
tone-deaf
Tonegawa
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tone-deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-deaf. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tone-deaf

adjective
ˈtōn-ˌdef
: not noticing small differences in musical pitch

Medical Definition

tone-deaf

adjective
ˈtōn-ˌdef How to pronounce tone-deaf (audio)
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
tone deafness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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