compositions

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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 compositions Glennie-Smith also served as musical director for Zimmer’s live concerts and conducted the 60-piece orchestra at the 2012 Academy Awards that featured compositions from Zimmer and Pharrell Williams. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2026 Samples or compositions are given to all of the city chapters, and attendees get to chop up and edit the selections. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 After a 10-year follow-up, researchers checked whether certain body compositions could predict who died or who had a heart attack. — Allison Forsyth, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026 The song also features compositions from Sivan’s longtime collaborator Leland as well as Kaelyn Behr. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 Delphine Jelk, Guerlain’s in-house perfumer, attributes this evolution to a growing desire for more refined compositions. — Danielle James, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026 Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra and recorded at London’s Alexandra Palace in April, the album is a 12-track collection of classical compositions crafted over six decades. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Longtime Webb producer Fred Mollin, who safeguarded the compositions for years, helped bring them back into the light. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 14 Aug. 2026 The Pulse can perform much more intricate compositions than, say, a pair of industrial robot arms, and can work directly off of digital notations without the need for custom programming. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compositions
  1. works
  2. articles
  3. layouts
  4. essays
  5. pieces
  6. papers
  7. designs
  8. stories
Noun
  • Such Chinese characters were inscribed or stamped on most of the hundreds of thousands of works made during the Chinese monarch’s rule in the 18th century.
    — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, has announced a raft of new acquisitions, including works by artists entering the collection for the first time.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of works
Noun
  • Pentagon staff said there are stacks of newspapers in the building that seem to go untouched, and the newspaper was known for having articles service members could access online from other outlets.
    — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Reporters from Noozhawk and KEYT were among those detained, and both outlets published articles detailing the detainment.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of articles
Noun
  • Video previews and creator page layouts are also getting more customizable, and custom unblurred thumbnails can now be added to any public posts.
    — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Entry-level luxury cruise cabins can offer balconies, spacious layouts, premium amenities, and even butler service.
    — Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of layouts
Noun
  • This collection of personal essays was developed in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center, with support from the Pulitzer Center.
    — Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • College administrators read an adjunct professor’s comments to students on personal essays.
    — Cathy Bussewitz, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of essays
Noun
  • The companies also plan to bring pieces of DRX’s existing academy setup to Indonesia, with organized coaching, camps held in Korea and routes for Indonesian players to break into the region’s pro gaming circuit.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Estimating their value is difficult as comparable pieces rarely go on public auction.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pieces
Noun
  • My mother has accused me of removing personal papers from her file cabinet.
    — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, try to understand that your mother’s accusation may come from frustration with herself at having misplaced the papers.
    — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of papers
Noun
  • Vintage Modern builds custom cars by hand at its Buford facility, using classic designs as the inspiration while incorporating modern engineering and amenities.
    — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Portuguese touches are incorporated here too; the blanket on the bed comes from Burel and is made using wool from Serra de Estrela sheep into colorful, contemporary designs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of designs
Noun
  • Still, state media have been highlighting stories about cafes and other businesses being forced to close for failing to enforce rules on clothing.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • His approach combines research on neuroscience and productivity with personal experience and stories.
    — John Hall, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of stories

Browse Nearby Words

composition
compositions
compos mentis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compositions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compositions. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All