overtone
noun /ˈəʊvətəʊn/
/ˈəʊvərtəʊn/
[usually plural]- an attitude or an emotion that is suggested and is not expressed in a direct way
- There were political overtones to the point he was making.
Extra Examples- The word ‘cheap’ has negative overtones.
- a play with strong religious overtones
- His message had clearly coded racial overtones.
- The term carries unfortunate overtones of separateness and aloneness.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- strong
- serious
- negative
- …
- carry
- have
- take on
- …
Word Originmid 19th cent.: from over- + tone, suggested by German Oberton.