chordal

adjective

Definition of chordalnext
as in harmonic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of chordal Probably because at the time many of the time signatures and chordal progressions that Miles used were over the head of a young guitar player still functioning in the blues and folk idioms. — Steve Baltin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 Hudson buttressed Al Kooper’s original organ part into a chordal fortress, part of an incendiary performance that surges to peak after peak. — Jon Pareles, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 The Italian Jewish composer Salamone Rossi set Psalm 112 in Hebrew, in mainly chordal antiphony. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2020 It can be strummed, plucked, played for chordal accompaniment or virtuosic runs. — John Adamian, courant.com, 4 Oct. 2019 Leven effortlessly pivoted back and forth between cozying up to Stepner’s line and joining the lower strings’ strong chordal figures, adding a soloistic glimmer on occasion. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chordal
  1. harmonic
  2. tonal
  3. orchestral
  4. rhythmic
  5. polyphonic
  6. homophonic
Adjective
  • Each line of counterpoint, each aching harmonic turn, felt like a direct transmission from some higher dimension.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
  • To protect harmless bugs, pets, and children, the drone analyzes the unique sonar signatures, such as wingbeat frequencies and harmonic structures.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026
Definition of harmonic
Adjective
  • Another brand, Gestuz, demonstrated that tonal looks don't have to be exclusively minimalist or understated.
    — Miriam Nehring, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Last Week Tonight vet Juli Weiner, primarily) to transform the show into something with more jagged tonal edges and long-term potential, but little continuity with what came before.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of tonal
Adjective
  • Everything in between is a dream, at least according to Anthony Hopkins, composer of orchestral music.
    — Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • For orchestral music, like John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the Miltons prove a solid platform.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of orchestral
Adjective
  • Andrés Tambornino’s rhythmic editing pulls together the disparate kinds of stock and material, helping to create a strong sense of forward momentum throughout.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The resulting sound combines disco and psychedelic funk with Turkish melodies, rhythmic patterns and lyrics.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of rhythmic
Adjective
  • Georgia is culturally alive and vibrant—polyphonic singing seen and heard through swirling traditional dances, finally, felt through ancient cobblestones underfoot.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The soundtrack—by the frequent Hans Zimmer collaborator David Fleming—is a delight, a polyphonic mood board of ghost-clangs, spooky bassoons, lyrical electro-motifs, and sighing sea themes.
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of polyphonic
Adjective
  • My introduction to homophonic translation came from my former teacher, Mónica de la Torre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Jan. 2026
  • How does this make any sense except as a very stupid, clumsy, idiotic no good way to give us a homophonic bridge to Gandalf.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of homophonic

Browse Nearby Words

chord
chordal
chorded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chordal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chordal. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All