1
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
2
: having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste
The White House long ago concluded that she is aloof and politically tone-deaf …—
Michael Duffy
Michael DuffyAt the time, I wondered how such an intelligent man could be so tone-deaf to the harsh realities facing the nation …—Peniel E. Joseph
Peniel E. Joseph
tone deafness
noun
Examples of tone-deaf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The show, streaming on Netflix today, manages to be revealing yet tone-deaf at the same time, using the tropes of splashy reality TV to convey the workmanlike, usually low-paying world of professional songwriting.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 24 July 2025
After all the fussing and fidgeting exerted in trying to nail just the right mix of comic book action, comedy and pathos, the movie emerges as a tone-deaf mishmash of underdeveloped characters, half-baked humor and unhatched plotting drenched in CGI overkill.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
In times of uncertainty, overly optimistic brand messages can feel tone-deaf.
—Rebecca Brooks, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Meanwhile, those record revenues make the timing of loyalty program changes feel even more tone-deaf.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tone-deaf
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Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 24 July 2025
After all the fussing and fidgeting exerted in trying to nail just the right mix of comic book action, comedy and pathos, the movie emerges as a tone-deaf mishmash of underdeveloped characters, half-baked humor and unhatched plotting drenched in CGI overkill.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
In times of uncertainty, overly optimistic brand messages can feel tone-deaf.
—Rebecca Brooks, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Meanwhile, those record revenues make the timing of loyalty program changes feel even more tone-deaf.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tone-deaf
Cite this Entry
“Tone-deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone-deaf. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tone-deaf
adjective
: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch
tone deafness
noun
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