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
But the varied syncopation and intense emotional registers of Orthodox worship music informed his approach to an album that balances weighty introspection with buoyant production and evocative imagery.
—
Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Frehley picks up on the drummer’s simmering syncopation hereand unleashes a banshee-like howl of a solo that still clings to the band’s rhythm.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
In turn, Africa, kind of, hear that music and start to produce music with that syncopation and that kind of vibes as well.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
The solution was incorporating polyrhythms and syncopation to add greater variety to the timing.
—Oliver Sava, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for syncopation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Frehley picks up on the drummer’s simmering syncopation hereand unleashes a banshee-like howl of a solo that still clings to the band’s rhythm.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
In turn, Africa, kind of, hear that music and start to produce music with that syncopation and that kind of vibes as well.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
The solution was incorporating polyrhythms and syncopation to add greater variety to the timing.
—Oliver Sava, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for syncopation
Cite this Entry
“Syncopation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syncopation. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share