tune out

verb

tuned out; tuning out; tunes out

transitive verb

: to become unresponsive to : ignore

intransitive verb

: to dissociate oneself from what is happening or one's surroundings

Examples of tune out 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.
Online comments are mixed, but Barron has learned to tune out negativity. Jordan Greene, People.com, 24 July 2025 Bringing curiosity back into the classroom means creating unexpected and delightful opportunities for engagement for students that are otherwise likely to tune out to the same old model of teaching. Sergei Revzin, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 This is a perfect time to revise your website, realign your goals, or take a social media sabbatical to tune out noise and tune into truth. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 20 July 2025 Colbert’s relative popularity in a genre that has seen audiences tuning out has some scratching their heads about CBS ending the program. Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tune out

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tune out was in 1908

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tune out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tune%20out. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

tune out

verb
: to stop paying attention to what is happening or to one's surroundings
thinking about the work and tuning everything else out

More from Merriam-Webster on tune out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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