scherzo
noun
scher·zo
ˈskert-(ˌ)sō 
plural scherzos or scherzi
ˈskert-(ˌ)sē
: a sprightly humorous instrumental musical composition or movement commonly in quick triple time
Examples of scherzo in a Sentence
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Here, threatening thunder of the monumental first movement was followed by threatening lightning in the faster scherzo followed by the threateningly dark cloudy skies in the slow movement followed by the victorious bombing of the final movement.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The energy was restored by a beefy, vivacious scherzo, boosted by sturdy bassoons and a gorgeous trio of horns.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
The whimsical, bristling pizzicato-fest of the third movement scherzo would tickle any ASMR enthusiast — the dynamic gales blowing through the orchestra lifted harmonic swells to unexpected heights.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2023
The orchestra delivered a performance to take pride in, with the first few movements punctuated memorably by the precise and powerful timpani accents of percussionist Toby Grace; the second movement scherzo was light on its feet without sacrificing gravitas.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023
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Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The energy was restored by a beefy, vivacious scherzo, boosted by sturdy bassoons and a gorgeous trio of horns.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
The whimsical, bristling pizzicato-fest of the third movement scherzo would tickle any ASMR enthusiast — the dynamic gales blowing through the orchestra lifted harmonic swells to unexpected heights.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2023
The orchestra delivered a performance to take pride in, with the first few movements punctuated memorably by the precise and powerful timpani accents of percussionist Toby Grace; the second movement scherzo was light on its feet without sacrificing gravitas.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for scherzo
Cite this Entry
“Scherzo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scherzo. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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