as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
sung a little ditty in a minor key
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Recent Examples of ditties
The songs, by Randy Newman, are simple but charming little ditties, particularly the ensemble numbers where this makeshift band of misfits express their devotion to one another.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
These plinking, whimsical ditties—each song lasts but a minute or two at most— are evocative in their simplicity, but deceptively rich in texture.
—Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
Later, orange lanterns carrying well-wishes floated toward the stars, mingling with the distant strains of Lao ditties from the karaoke machines of the ramshackle bars that lined the banks.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026
However, there are some quirky ditties that even multigenerational Southerners might not have ever heard, or that people commonly use in the wrong way.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
But perhaps the best aspect of Update was the return of Jane Wickline’s offbeat keyboard ditties.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2025
Themes of community and sacrifice abound, as do bluegrass ditties penned by Paul Williams.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
She’s best known for her enthusiastic and approachable ditties on key subjects, like potty training.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
These plinking, whimsical ditties—each song lasts but a minute or two at most— are evocative in their simplicity, but deceptively rich in texture.
—Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
Later, orange lanterns carrying well-wishes floated toward the stars, mingling with the distant strains of Lao ditties from the karaoke machines of the ramshackle bars that lined the banks.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026
However, there are some quirky ditties that even multigenerational Southerners might not have ever heard, or that people commonly use in the wrong way.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
But perhaps the best aspect of Update was the return of Jane Wickline’s offbeat keyboard ditties.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2025
Themes of community and sacrifice abound, as do bluegrass ditties penned by Paul Williams.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
She’s best known for her enthusiastic and approachable ditties on key subjects, like potty training.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ditties
Noun
-
Not that the album can really be divided into ballads and rockers.—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
-
His silky ballads are uniformly thoughtful and well-constructed, but lack the pathos that would give them greater depth and dimension.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some stories plant deep in your creative brain and come out through songs heard on the radio and random daydreams in the shower.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
Gorman’s songs have charted on Billboard, and his YouTube account has more than 380 million streams.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Research shows that musical memories are the last memories to leave you, so the choir performs church hymns and patriotic songs at senior living facilities and veterans homes.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
-
Sometimes that battle is filtered through songs that sound like show tunes or gospel hymns.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Shakira is no stranger to World Cup anthems.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 May 2026
-
There are empowering anthems and devastating love songs.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The most immediate disruption may appear in commercial niches such as advertising jingles or podcast themes.—
Steven Melendez,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
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The jingles and sounders used to identify CBS News network programming heard on the stations for decades have also been part of the listening experience.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, in the White House briefing room this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio filled in for Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary now on maternity leave, quoting rap lyrics in response to questions about Iran.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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The musical features a book and lyrics by Dan Marshall and music by Julianne Wick Davis.—
Staff report,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ditties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ditties. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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