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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 At a time when classical and jazz musicians struggle to attract and retain audiences, the startup has grown into one of the biggest — and, according to Winters, one of the last — full-service shops of its kind in Florida. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026 His reframings reveal that those casual images contain latent portraiture with the grandeur and the power of classical paintings. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026 This project has been a long time in the making, and lands at a moment when interest in this classical masterpiece has never been greater, with a new generation of audiences discovering the power of Homer’s epic. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026 These early proponents of quantum biology sought explanations for the puzzling properties of life at the classical scale in the counterintuitive laws of physics at the quantum scale. — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 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
  • This blacklight flashlight uses a 395nm wavelength to detect what the naked eye—or a traditional flashlight—cannot.
    — Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In traditional Han folklore, the baiji was the Goddess of the Yangtze.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • That’s the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — the authoritative handbook of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association and used by mental health professionals in the United States.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Muck Rack notes that PR and communications can influence generative engine optimization because AI systems draw on authoritative third-party sources when assembling answers.
    — Andrey Insarov, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of authoritative
Adjective
  • The acquisition remains subject to customary closing conditions, with completion currently expected on October 1, 2026.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
  • From there, the camera captures the lovebirds and their friends running through halls naked, romping around in bed, dancing, and drinking champagne in customary rock star fashion.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of customary
Adjective
  • They are hidden among the landscaped terraces that dot the cliff, a classic image of Amalfi.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Much like white, navy blue is a classic, timeless color that offers a deep neutral contrast to black or gray doors without sacrificing a sophisticated look.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of classic
Adjective
  • The technique is already widely used in laboratories, but conventional NMR systems are difficult to take into the field.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Silicon sampling, which has gained prominence in recent months, is much faster and far cheaper to complete than conventional polling.
    — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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