as in poetry
verse that does not rhyme and does not have a regular rhythm
The author's free verse has a unique rhythmic intensity.
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Recent Examples of free verse
Though most of Milosz’s poetry was written in free verse, no effort has been made to force the English versions into the complicated poetic forms the poet sometimes preferred — that would have required a different sense of obligation.
—
William Logan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
The award-winning work, told through a mix of free verse and haiku, offers a poignant and nuanced look at a young person growing up Black in the nineteen-sixties and seventies, finding herself through the art of writing.
—The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024
Here are some of Robert Frost’s insights into how poetry works its magic:
Writing free verse is like playing tennis without a net.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
Taking its title from a Toni Morrison quote, Water Made Us employs free verse, voice memos from family and friends, and sterling arrangements crafted with L.A. producer McClenney to examine her past relationships.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for free verse
William Logan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
The award-winning work, told through a mix of free verse and haiku, offers a poignant and nuanced look at a young person growing up Black in the nineteen-sixties and seventies, finding herself through the art of writing.
—The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024
Here are some of Robert Frost’s insights into how poetry works its magic:
Writing free verse is like playing tennis without a net.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
Taking its title from a Toni Morrison quote, Water Made Us employs free verse, voice memos from family and friends, and sterling arrangements crafted with L.A. producer McClenney to examine her past relationships.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for free verse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free verse
Noun
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With their laid-back, mop-haired rocker dad and poetry professor turned ayurvedic healer mom, 16-year-old Awilda and 13-year-old Delphine have surely always known the importance of staying true to oneself.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
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People expect a more comprehensive, even exciting experience, with things like live music, poetry readings and even circus acts.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Far from moderating political passions, Freneau stoked hatred of his political rivals, the Federalists, and their leader, Alexander Hamilton, even publishing an anti-Semitic poem comparing Hamilton’s work at the Treasury Department to that of Jewish moneylenders.—
Jeffrey Rosen,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
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The film is a re-telling of Homer’s poem about Odysseus’ long journey home.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Amanda Pecsenye Behind the handwritten lyrics and archival concert outfits in Ohio’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is Amanda Pecsenye, whose curatorial eye uncovers new artifacts amid the persistent rumble of rock music.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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The lyrics describe a crystallizing moment in which the narrator realizes that her relationship is the thing that’s not working in her life, despite the best hopes and intentions.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The piece has the pattern of blank verse.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
27 Oct. 2025
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But Kantor wrote it in blank verse — little help for the script.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Apologies for the subtle rhyme, but here's your reminder to not take things too seriously.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Later, a long close-up of a shattered glass of milk works neither as visual rhyme with the snowy setting nor dramatic insight.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Our mother, who had annoyed me deeply throughout most of my life, managed something so heroic that there should have been songs written about her to be sung around campfires by Girl Scouts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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The band has figured out how to flesh out one another’s songs while giving the songwriter who first came up with the idea complete creative control over the composition.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free%20verse. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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