tone policing

American  

[tohn puh-lee-sing] / ˈtoʊn pəˌli sɪŋ /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• tone police plural noun
• tone-police verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of tone policing

First recorded in 2015–20

Example Sentences

Or maybe I’m just tone policing, being thin-skinned, defensive and deflective.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2022

There are extensive problems with the idea of tone policing.

From Slate • Dec. 3, 2019

It is not tone policing, protecting white fragility or covering up abuse.

From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2019

Such an approach, called tone policing, is one part of the concern troll’s toolkit.

From The Guardian • Aug. 18, 2018

“Mom, I think tone policing is the least of our problems.”

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed