atonal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Eventually, the atonal structure becomes the film’s nature.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

For example, dissonant, atonal harmonies convey a sense of unrest.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

He once played a piece for piano, violin and oboe for Milhaud that contained a melody he was ashamed to have written, as 12-point atonal music was in vogue at the time.

From Washington Times • Feb. 9, 2023

This month, we focus on Ornette Coleman, the iconoclastic saxophonist and bandleader whose style prioritized atonal chords over traditional rhythm and harmony, which helped establish the subgenre of free jazz in the late 1950s.

From New York Times • Nov. 2, 2022

Nobody stopped work to listen, though, because Onofre had always been a lousy piano player, even with two hands, and he still tunked out basically atonal numbers.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols