compositions

plural of composition
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
as in articles
a short piece of writing done as a school exercise a teacher who is fond of having her class write compositions

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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

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 compositions At Puna and Parura, Muñoz’s menu is filled with dishes with the layered flavors and artistic compositions that helped push Peruvian cuisine into the spotlight on a global stage. — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026 The film’s symmetrical compositions, the careful placement of characters within these distinctive spaces, all serve to create a sense of immovable social hierarchy and repression. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026 Inspired by Janet Jackson and Solange, her compositions are lush and immersive. — Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026 The Green Lady Lounge, known for featuring original compositions by Kansas City jazz musicians, is working toward reopening in December. — Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026 A lot of these orderly compositions soon give off the impression of a cage — if Mari Kusu’s performance as Takeshi’s mother, bristling with frustration, didn’t already imply as much. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026 Like word clouds, Cubist compositions use typography to model public and social spaces. — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026 Brands should deliberately break those patterns through real photography, custom backgrounds, proprietary visual elements and unexpected compositions. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Although the focus has shifted from competitions, Dranoff continues to champion two-piano performances, as well as commissioning new compositions. — Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compositions
Noun
  • Because the album is rich with melody—because the compositions snake so readily from note to note, compared to Malone’s previous works—inklings of narrative start to seep from the foggy passages.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Also included in the mix were family heirlooms, like paintings passed down to her from her grandmother, or works made by her father.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • This may be because there are many new hunters who either lack wilderness smarts or who have read articles in the magazines explaining how a man in the woods can find his way by taking bearings with a compass on top of a map.
    — Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In September, Massie, who lost his primary race earlier this year after Trump endorsed an opponent, stood on the House floor for more than 67 minutes reading his sweeping 34-page resolution with eight articles of impeachment aloud.
    — Jonathan Karl, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Outlooks and layouts vary but most rooms come with ravishing views of the Bosphorus; a few have terraces or gardens, while the split-level 5920-square-foot Peninsula Suite has a private rooftop terrace, outdoor swimming pool, gym, and hammam.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The dungeons were ominous, multi-level complexes with layouts both eldritch and natural, no longer limited to square tile arrangements.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Sam, an aspiring writer, supplements her Substack essays with standardized test tutoring that still may not be enough to cover London rent.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Poetry like Rukeyser’s and others by Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Hayden or the essays by James Baldwin that Alexander parses in the book, provide sustenance for the journey.
    — Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Alex Bores, a New York Assembly member who authored one of the country’s most substantial pieces of AI legislation — the RAISE Act — disagreed.
    — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Originally purchased in 1963, Betsy says her aunt owned many valuable pieces of art throughout the 1970s, never married, had no children, and lived a successful, cosmopolitan life as a career woman.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Many academic researchers publish only a handful of papers each year, seeking scientific discoveries or solutions to everyday problems facing businesses and government agencies.
    — TODD WALLACK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Hurley and the Huskies’ bench, perplexed when the Huskies were called for their 13th foul when Michigan only had six, earned their first techinical of the season after assistant Mike Nardi threw his scouting papers on the floor.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Also new are the 17- to 19-in alloy wheel designs and the power-latching sliding doors and tailgate.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In theory, testing virtual designs will cut down development cycles, predict equipment degradation, and avoid costly trial-and-error during physical builds.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The histories, stories and insights into personalities will be lost forever.
    — Gary Barron, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • When researchers tell stories about people who are victims of crimes—ranging from having an iPad stolen to being raped—such victims are seen as virtuous, more moral and more trustworthy than comparable people who have not been victimized.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Compositions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compositions. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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