compositions

Definition of compositionsnext
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 Aided by Gibson's strikingly beautiful compositions, Come See Me in the Good Light is an honest, heartfelt exploration of grief and creative expression. Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026 The advantage of using such a system is that the electrolyte is divided at the nanoscale into different compositions. Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026 The Hollywood Bowl performance features soloist Lakecia Benjamin, acclaimed for her 2020 album of John and Alice Coltrane compositions. Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026 While 200mm can be challenging for night sky shooting without a star tracker, the lens is still useful for mid-field targets and creative compositions, such as the Milky Way behind an interesting foreground. Tantse Walter, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026 The trio’s mix of jazz standards and original compositions set them apart from other groups, as did their avant-garde leanings and fondness for minor keys. Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026 The recent album by the 82-year-old piano giant focuses on compositions Barron originally conceived as instrumental pieces, either set with lyrics or delivered with wordless vocal lines. Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026 Boldness is baked into this band, and that’s what leads them to dizzying new compositions and refreshing shifts in perspective. Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026 Fennell and Sandgren’s compositions are frequently awe-inspiring, from a sequence that sees Cathy sweeping across the moors in her wedding dress to the eventual foggy reunion between the lovers that slowly pulls Elordi into relief while a searching Cathy searches for clarity. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compositions
Noun
  • Today the city’s casinos, banks, and skyscrapers include works by many top contemporary architects.
    Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
  • On Main Street, Majestic Repertory Theatre offers a distinctly different experience, combining a professional theater presence with bold, high-energy plays, musicals, and original works known for inventive set design, immersive elements, and a playful, sometimes provocative, approach.
    Mackenzie Jervis, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Reuters, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
  • From newspaper articles and photographs to detailed life timelines, Ancestry is incredibly thorough.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • From cutting-edge lighting systems to duplex layouts with spiral staircases, here’s how top designers and organization experts are taking dressing room and closet design to the next level.
    Jennifer S. Li, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
  • This includes short-throw and ultra-short-throw options designed for small venues, curved surfaces, and non-standard layouts.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Her essays and criticism have appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, Esquire, The New Republic, and more.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
  • For this year’s installment, Vogue partnered with the publisher 831 Stories on a collection of essays and excerpts celebrating the art of romantic fiction.
    Catie Disabato, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The designer's favorite art pieces feel collected, considered, and personal rather than prescriptive.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Mismatched china is great for repurposing pieces into beautiful, functional items like candles.
    Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • During the last fall semester, Theo Nash, an instructor for the class Great Books 191, accused the student three different times of using AI to write course papers, according to the court document.
    Nick Lentz, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Public school teacher Jeromie Whalen will soon pull papers to begin his campaign to unseat the longtime Democratic incumbent.
    Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The medical office walls are lined with bright flower-power murals inspired by Marimekko designs, with breeze block in the background for a mid-century Californian look.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Increases in performance were largely a matter of scale and simplifying rocket designs to save weight.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Here are two more stories of the subterranean, one sinister and one salty.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Some clients said they were told to make up stories of abuse that became the crux of their lawsuit.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Compositions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compositions. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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