1
as in works
a literary, musical, or artistic production
the compositions of Michelangelo include the dome of St. Peter's, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and his monumental statue of David
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2
3
as in layouts
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged
student photographers learn the importance of composition in creating striking images
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4
as in essays
a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view
submitted a composition to the local newspaper for its special section marking Martin Luther King Day
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compositions
The space observatory mapped the motions and compositions of 2 billion stars across the Milky Way between July 2014 and January 2025.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Ultimately, Orcutt and Fratti landed on a set of compositions that conjure an aching sense of nostalgia and familiarity through cello and guitar melodies that interweave and blossom like a trellis-climbing vine.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
What Spotify And Universal Announced The agreements cover both recordings and compositions.
—Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Sotheby’s had emphasized throughout the preview that a cast of the work had not appeared at auction since 2018 and that the sculpture belonged to a small group of ambitious multi-figure compositions Giacometti executed around 1950.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026
Ana Mosquera’s intricate compositions incorporate patterns derived from passports, visas, and bureaucratic security documents.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The palette is black-and-white, the compositions square and elegant.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
But whereas Barbara would go on to publish a series of her compositions, Antonia took a different path that likely disappointed her father.
—Claire Fontijn, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
Long, patient takes devoid of nondiegetic elements immerse us in Misael’s rudimentary existence, with birdsong and cracking branches working together with DP Cobi Migliori’s handsome long-shot compositions to create a trancelike atmosphere.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Ultimately, Orcutt and Fratti landed on a set of compositions that conjure an aching sense of nostalgia and familiarity through cello and guitar melodies that interweave and blossom like a trellis-climbing vine.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
What Spotify And Universal Announced The agreements cover both recordings and compositions.
—Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Sotheby’s had emphasized throughout the preview that a cast of the work had not appeared at auction since 2018 and that the sculpture belonged to a small group of ambitious multi-figure compositions Giacometti executed around 1950.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026
Ana Mosquera’s intricate compositions incorporate patterns derived from passports, visas, and bureaucratic security documents.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The palette is black-and-white, the compositions square and elegant.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
But whereas Barbara would go on to publish a series of her compositions, Antonia took a different path that likely disappointed her father.
—Claire Fontijn, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
Long, patient takes devoid of nondiegetic elements immerse us in Misael’s rudimentary existence, with birdsong and cracking branches working together with DP Cobi Migliori’s handsome long-shot compositions to create a trancelike atmosphere.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compositions
Noun
-
Most of the lamps on view this week and next are works of sculpture in themselves, from a towering totemic floor lamp to a slight but dynamic nightlight.—
Anthony Paletta,
Curbed,
17 May 2026
-
These works demonstrate innovative breakthroughs in both technology and art.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
-
Cuba Press, a news agency with six typewriters located in the house of the poet Raúl Rivero, managed to report on the national hangover, as did Habana Press, an agency directed by Joaquín Torres, who dictated his articles over the phone to the exiles running Cubanet and Radio Martí.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Kin caregivers particularly struggle to afford housing with enough rooms and accessible, aging-friendly layouts.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
The permanent pavers add a personal touch to any outdoor area through distinctive layouts and textures.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The researchers divided people into three groups, and asked them to write essays using either ChatGPT, Google’s search engine, or their own brains.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
In the 1760s and ’70s, these two men collaborated with a secret radical network to counter the King—laying out the case for the restoration of British liberties in a series of newspaper essays under the pen name Junius.—
Danielle Allen,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
There aren’t many fashion pieces more airy and breathable than a flowy summer skirt.—
Ali Faccenda,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
-
While the pieces inside span millennia, the building itself is strikingly modern, designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Fumihiko Maki.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
On the afternoon of the event, a Jewish man whose name was not revealed in court papers was walking his dog near the synagogue when Gitesatani approached from behind and punched him in the jaw, according to federal prosecutors.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
18 May 2026
-
In the first inning, a stack of stapled papers from the press box were carried by the gusts into the stands.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Having also grown up in Puerto Rico, Soto now intentionally repurposes objects and designs from her childhood into pieces of art that represent life on the small island, such as her upholstered plastic lawn chairs, which are deeply connected to Puerto Rican culture.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
The two-piece creation was the first of two designs from Rose, an Oscar winner.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s no better time to swap scary stories than when the wind is howling and candles are flickering.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
The story traces the interconnected lives of three gay men across three eras — 1932, 1937, and 2017 — braiding together stories of desire, loss, and what one generation bequeaths to the next.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compositions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compositions. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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