as in musician
a person who plays a musical instrument
he excels as a conductor, a composer, and as an instrumentalist
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instrumentalist
Since Chuck Berry’s first hits, rock’s most famous instrumentalists have been lead guitarists, who step out in front of the band with flashy solos.
—
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2025
Jeff Buckley initially focused all his energy on guitar, becoming an acclaimed instrumentalist.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
British music producer and instrumentalist Dave Ball, best known as one half of the pioneering synth-pop duo Soft Cell, has died.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The Format consist of lead singer Nate Ruess and instrumentalist Sam Means.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrumentalist
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2025
Jeff Buckley initially focused all his energy on guitar, becoming an acclaimed instrumentalist.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
British music producer and instrumentalist Dave Ball, best known as one half of the pioneering synth-pop duo Soft Cell, has died.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The Format consist of lead singer Nate Ruess and instrumentalist Sam Means.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrumentalist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumentalist
Noun
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The industry’s ability to take a slow bet on a writer, to develop them the way record labels develop musicians or sports teams develop rookies, becomes increasingly rare.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
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Abath, who also has died, was a beer-drinking, pot-smoking music school dropout and rock ‘n roll musician who occasionally reported to work drunk.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Shout out to the artists on the wall.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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Harms Mahlandt and another local artist made a map for people to explore little free spaces in Portland.—
MAGGIE PENMAN THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The performer dresses up in a Bigfoot costume and plays along with electronic music on the saxophone.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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With regard to lead roles, inclusion peaked in 2024, when there were 51 women, including one transgender performer, cited.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instrumentalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumentalist. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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