alternative music
noun
: music that is produced by performers who are outside the musical mainstream, that is typically regarded as more eclectic, original, or challenging than most popular music (such as conventional rock, pop, or country), and that is often distributed by independent record labels
Examples of alternative music in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, slowly but surely, Coachella gained both popularity and credibility, becoming a mainstay of alternative music.
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Daniela Tijerina, Vanity Fair, 14 Apr. 2026
Alright, Still also made a splash in the United States, earning her a Grammy nomination for best alternative music album and solidifying Allen’s reputation as one of the United Kingdom’s most exciting new artists.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
In a press release, Grohl said she was inspired by alternative music from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, including Pixies, Soundgarden, Cocteau Twins, and the Breeders.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
Shaky Knees has built a national reputation as a premier destination for rock, indie, and alternative music fans.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternative music
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Daniela Tijerina, Vanity Fair, 14 Apr. 2026
Alright, Still also made a splash in the United States, earning her a Grammy nomination for best alternative music album and solidifying Allen’s reputation as one of the United Kingdom’s most exciting new artists.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
In a press release, Grohl said she was inspired by alternative music from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, including Pixies, Soundgarden, Cocteau Twins, and the Breeders.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
Shaky Knees has built a national reputation as a premier destination for rock, indie, and alternative music fans.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternative music
Cite this Entry
“Alternative music.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternative%20music. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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