tone policing

[ tohn puh-lee-sing ]

noun

1. a conversational tactic that dismisses the ideas being communicated when they are perceived to be delivered in an angry, frustrated, sad, fearful, or otherwise emotionally charged manner: Tone policing can silence the narratives of oppressed populations.

   It’s condescending to shut down an argument through tone policing.

   Tone policing can silence the narratives of oppressed populations.

Other Words From

• tone-po·lice verb (used with object) tonepoliced tonepolicing
• tone po·lice plural noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tone policing¹

First recorded in 2015–20

Example Sentences

Pillai says her will to go on despite “tone policing, gaslighting” and threats to her livelihood is fueled by her dedication to the women of the past five to six generations whose contributions to Bharatanatyam have been erased.

From Ozy