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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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 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 If said auntie cooks with abundant spices and palm oil, has an eye for striking colors and compositions, and sends you home with parcels of food wrapped like gifts, then London has succeeded admirably. John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Alice now began playing and recording her own compositions with a handful of open-minded players and eventually racked up twelve nonpareil albums. Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Herzog is a musical composer and performer who has appeared nationally and internationally, with original compositions that have been featured in television and film and are known throughout the Reform movement, according to the synagogue. Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compositions
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
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
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
Noun
  • In addition to the biographies, Marsh collected his reviews and essays in a number of volumes, including Fortunate Son and Kick Out the Jams.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than translating existing work from The Rumpus, El Alboroto will commission and publish original Spanish-language writing spanning cultural criticism, personal essays, interviews, fiction, poetry and comics.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The Sharks have surrounded him with legit building blocks, adding high-end pieces like Michael Misa, Ivar Stenberg, Will Smith and Keaton Verhoeff to the mix.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Disney Disney’s strategy of keeping its cards close to its chest has led to it only releasing two pieces of concept art for its Abu Dhabi park.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Douglas Degges created art out of chewed dog toys, and Lesley Finn mounted a collage of archival papers on a wooden board.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In Maryland, a Salvadoran mother signed legal papers naming Father Vidal Rivas, the priest at her local church, as temporary guardian of her 7-year-old son if she and her husband were deported.
    Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
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
Noun
  • The explanation behind this family man’s strange case is well chronicled in many Chicago and New York news stories.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • At Khan & Kumar Media, we’re drawn to stories that resonate across cultures and borders, and ‘Forgotten Spaceman’ does exactly that.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Compositions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compositions. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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