1
as in modes
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words
the angry tone of his letter makes it clear he doesn't want to speak to me ever again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in shades
a property that becomes apparent when light falls on an object and by which things that are identical in form can be distinguished
fall fashions in deep jewel tones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in natures
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others
all that showbiz glitz is out of keeping with the tone of the college
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tones
The shampoo uses highly concentrated violet pigments (which give it that signature purple hue) to neutralize yellow tones on contact.
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Decor leans equestrian-meets-coastal ranch, with earthy tones, textured fabrics, saddle-leather accents, and subtle nods to the property’s equine history.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
When the sun set, our windows burned in the apricot tones of the old sodium-vapor lamps.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 Apr. 2026
Styled with pointed cream flats to echo the tones of the set, the outfit leans elegant without feeling overdone.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026
Some, like Janelle Anne Robinson and Anastasia Maglaras, are better at capturing the Hartford of today than the city of the 1940s, while Olivia Nicole Hoffman and Stuart Rider are among the cast members who nail the tones and rhythms of mid-20th century radio announcers and political.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
The notices were for men, women and babies with olive to deep skin tones.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
For those looking for a streamlined vanity design, this option has no hardware to distract from the natural wood tones.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026
Chesnutt wasn’t alone in these sometimes sinister tones.
—David Harris, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2026
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Decor leans equestrian-meets-coastal ranch, with earthy tones, textured fabrics, saddle-leather accents, and subtle nods to the property’s equine history.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
When the sun set, our windows burned in the apricot tones of the old sodium-vapor lamps.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 Apr. 2026
Styled with pointed cream flats to echo the tones of the set, the outfit leans elegant without feeling overdone.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026
Some, like Janelle Anne Robinson and Anastasia Maglaras, are better at capturing the Hartford of today than the city of the 1940s, while Olivia Nicole Hoffman and Stuart Rider are among the cast members who nail the tones and rhythms of mid-20th century radio announcers and political.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
The notices were for men, women and babies with olive to deep skin tones.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
For those looking for a streamlined vanity design, this option has no hardware to distract from the natural wood tones.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026
Chesnutt wasn’t alone in these sometimes sinister tones.
—David Harris, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tones
Noun
-
Choose modes for stress, sleep, burnout, pain and more.—
Mitti Hicks,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This is songwriting whose strength arises, partially, from an ability to texturize all the modes of life — having and losing, looking and longing, comfort and disorientation — and the many moods those modes inspire.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pastel Colors Pastel shades are sweet in the right context, but your garage door is not the place to use them, designer Dijana Savic-Jambert says.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
26 Apr. 2026
-
London is the capital of pristine facades, often painted in wedding-cake shades of cream or ivory; the city’s dominant aesthetic is a literal whitewash.—
Mark O’Connell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These observations suggest that small, mysterious moons with surprisingly different natures are the source of the particles that make up the two outermost rings, and that there are probably even more undiscovered moons to add to the 29 already known around Uranus.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Last month, a Los Angeles jury found social media giants Meta and Google failed to warn children about the addictive natures of their platforms.—
Drew Aunkst,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Did my mom teach me manners that no longer exist?—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
-
That kind of no-reply email must surely be bad manners, or worse.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Maroon name refers to one of the school’s colors and is a homage to the University of Chicago, which goes by the same name, according to local historians.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Not only will marigolds trap the aphids and whiteflies that threaten your cheerful gerbera daisies, but the combination of colors between the two blooms makes for the most brilliant and happy summer garden.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Schneider gave a shout-out to his scouting staff for doing the work to uncover the type of personalities the Seahawks would be acquiring.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For the very first time, Rina and Serasi stepped onto their outdoor habitat — and their personalities were already on full display.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hear a hundred different styles blasting from a hundred different porches, patios, driveways, alleys, frontyards, backyards, and sideyards.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But its moves can easily be translated into different music styles, too.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With the collection intertwined with the world of racing since its debut in 1986, the Tag Heuer Formula 1 watch has become a symbol of performance while simultaneously showcasing its distinct design, vibrant hues and innovative technology.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Rooms Toor's 234 rooms and suites take their design cues from the city’s green spaces, translating into muted hues, organic patterns, and warm wood tones that feel both current and calming.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tones. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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