classical

adjective

ˈkla-si-kəl How to pronounce classical (audio)
Definition of classicalnext
1
as in traditional
based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation the classical preparation of a ham for Easter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritative
being the most accurate and apparently thorough a writer celebrated for his classical profiles of eminent Victorians

Synonyms & Similar 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 classical This project, classical in form, presents a sweeping vision of how the past has led to the present, an epic for this troubled age, a dispatch from a roiling Europe that nonetheless reflects back the difficult beauty of human existence. — Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 Scenes from Renaissance paintings and starry night skies alike fill the room while classical music sets the mood. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Following the stop at Verona Porta Nuova station is the City of Vicenza, which is famous for its classical Roman architecture and the work of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026 Composers of both classical and popular music study what came before them, absorbing and reworking earlier melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and techniques. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for classical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for classical
  1. traditional
  2. authoritative
  3. customary
  4. classic
  5. conventional
Adjective
  • Its signature Song Bag translates the skeletal geometry of traditional Chinese kites into a soft, structured leather vessel.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Inn operates like a traditional B&B, with free breakfast in the morning, and complimentary wine and cheese in the evening.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • With the press world’s help, Omar Jamal was anointed as the authoritative voice on all political issues concerning Minnesota’s Somali community and the Somali population at large in America.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The underlying transactions have to be organized and labeled so the system can tell what’s authoritative and what’s just a reference point.
    — Salvatore Lombardo, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of authoritative
Adjective
  • Flanagan’s customary whip pans are here to surprise us with characters lurking outside the frame, but this isn’t a story with many external supernatural threats, and tension doesn’t build.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The customary counter and high chairs that once held pecan waffles and smothered hash browns have been replaced with a long bodega-style service counter.
    — Sheeka Sanahori, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of customary
Adjective
  • Orlando Bloom’s first big automotive splurge was a classic Porsche—a black 911S from 1973.
    — Brett Berk, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Pair them with a chunky sweater and sneakers, or a classic button-down shirt and heeled booties this season.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of classic
Adjective
  • Aside from its visual distinctiveness, red diesel shares an identical chemical composition with conventional highway diesel.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The capability needed to run AI at studio level will not be found solely within the conventional media and entertainment system.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of conventional

Browse Nearby Words

classic
classical
classicism
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Cite this Entry

“Classical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/classical. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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