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
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
Rhyming poems, like Reed’s, have fallen out of style this century in favor of free verse.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2024
The book, first published in 1927, is organized according to the calendar, with a passage of free verse that evokes the qualities and pleasures of each month, a small monochrome drawing nearby, and, on the facing page, a full-color illustration of the sort to draw fascinated attention.
—Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
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
Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
Rhyming poems, like Reed’s, have fallen out of style this century in favor of free verse.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2024
The book, first published in 1927, is organized according to the calendar, with a passage of free verse that evokes the qualities and pleasures of each month, a small monochrome drawing nearby, and, on the facing page, a full-color illustration of the sort to draw fascinated attention.
—Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
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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This annual prize recognizes literary achievement and promise in fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry written in the English language from anywhere in the world, and is offered as an unrestricted grant of $175,000.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
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Several local organizations and businesses will be open along the route, offering live music, poetry, food pop-ups and family-friendly activities about climate change and ecology.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To celebrate, the Literary Hub staff will be recommending one great poem to read every (work) day of the month.—
Calvin Kasulke,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
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The poem is divided into two parts.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Sitting at a baby grand piano, Mars prompted swoons with his delivery of the lyrics, his pure voice holding notes with the same muscularity as early in the show.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
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Allen’s transition to more intimate and confessional lyrics took some time, however.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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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The actress and her longtime stylist Law Roach have been thoughtfully playing out the wedding rhyme during the premieres of the film, in which Zendaya and Robert Pattinson play an engaged couple.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
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So goes the Victorian-era English rhyme that has long served as a sartorial checklist for bridal fortunes.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fox canceled the show less than a week after the song fell off the chart.—
Ryan Brennan
April 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
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In the hands of the six-piece band, the shivering chords of that miniature apocalyptic soul song build into a cathartic climax, which Wasner punctuates with weeping slide guitar.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free%20verse. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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