syncopation
noun
syn·co·pa·tion
ˌsiŋ-kə-ˈpā-shən 
ˌsin-
1
: a temporary displacement of the regular metrical accent in music caused typically by stressing the weak beat
2
: a syncopated rhythm, passage, or dance step
Examples of syncopation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Black fiddler gave the idea of syncopation to what would become the genre; the banjo’s origins lie in West Africa.
—
Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Still, Levant’s inability to play Gershwin’s basic syncopations and polyrhythms correctly didn’t stop him from selling many performances and recording of the piece.
—Ethan Iverson, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2024
Alsop carefully managed the work’s many rhythmic shifts (including its detours into jazzy syncopation) and coaxed lovely detail from the orchestra, especially the opening passage of shuddering cellos, insistent bass and lovely interplays of saxophone, oboe and flute.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
What a thrill to hear the unmistakable syncopations, the spikes and leaps and the intermittent yearning silkiness of this music, one last first time.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2023
The tempo of the scherzo bordered on alarming, save for the group’s ability to bring out inner syncopations, shape rushing scales, and give every subsidiary theme its own character and detail.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2023
The brassy, slightly ominous arrangement by Gil Evans highlights the pinpoint syncopations of Gilberto’s vocal.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 6 June 2023
In these two people's asymmetric interaction—in their syncopation of syllables and pauses, their counterpoint of postures and facial movements—lies an original story, one that can’t be put into words.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2022
And then there is the rush created by Wainaina’s language, which moves to its own syncopation.
—Anderson Tepper, New York Times, 29 May 2023
Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Still, Levant’s inability to play Gershwin’s basic syncopations and polyrhythms correctly didn’t stop him from selling many performances and recording of the piece.
—Ethan Iverson, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2024
Alsop carefully managed the work’s many rhythmic shifts (including its detours into jazzy syncopation) and coaxed lovely detail from the orchestra, especially the opening passage of shuddering cellos, insistent bass and lovely interplays of saxophone, oboe and flute.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
What a thrill to hear the unmistakable syncopations, the spikes and leaps and the intermittent yearning silkiness of this music, one last first time.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2023
The tempo of the scherzo bordered on alarming, save for the group’s ability to bring out inner syncopations, shape rushing scales, and give every subsidiary theme its own character and detail.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2023
The brassy, slightly ominous arrangement by Gil Evans highlights the pinpoint syncopations of Gilberto’s vocal.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 6 June 2023
In these two people's asymmetric interaction—in their syncopation of syllables and pauses, their counterpoint of postures and facial movements—lies an original story, one that can’t be put into words.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2022
And then there is the rush created by Wainaina’s language, which moves to its own syncopation.
—Anderson Tepper, New York Times, 29 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'syncopation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near syncopation
Cite this Entry
“Syncopation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syncopation. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
syncopation
noun
syn·co·pa·tion
ˌsiŋ-kə-ˈpā-shən
ˌsin-
1
: a temporary accenting of a normally weak beat in music to vary the rhythm
2
: a syncopated rhythm, passage, or dance step
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