INSTRUMENTALIST Synonyms: 38 Similar Words

instrumentalist

noun

ˌin(t)-strə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ist

Definition of instrumentalist

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

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 instrumentalist Now 94, Cynthia still entertains with tales of bygone Barbados at the family's regular guest cocktail parties, whilst dinner is underscored by jazz singers and instrumentalists. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 The neighborhood band, a community effort, draws 20 to 30 instrumentalists each year and rehearses just once, 30 minutes before the procession. — Georgia Ross, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026 Coleman’s harmolodic theory — in which melody, harmony and rhythm are each treated as equal components to be performed simultaneously by each instrumentalist in a group — had a profound effect on Ulmer. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026 It would later be covered by Connie Francis, Peggy Lee, and instrumentalist Joe Harnell. — David Morgan, CBS News, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for instrumentalist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumentalist

Noun

Presenter Zane Lowe has conducted loads of candid interviews with new and established musicians, and the company's Los Angeles studio has captured dozens of memorable performances for posterity.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
The actress also made some cheeky comments amid the MGK rumors while speaking to Vogue for the October 2026 cover, admitting that does seem to keep ending up dating musicians.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of musician

Noun

That exhibition featured works by Heu Hwang, Kwon Young-woo, Lee Dong-youb, Park Seo-bo, and Suh Seung-won—a group of artists generally considered to have launched Korean monochrome painting, or dansaekhwa, as a movement.

— Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Working with artists gives us the opportunity to see that process through another creative perspective.

— Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of artist

Noun

Two-time Grammy-winning superstar Carpenter most recently received her first Primetime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category recognizing her work as an EP and performer on The Muppet Show.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Cage had meant his organ piece to enjoy the indeterminacy of neither the performer nor the audience knowing how long the score, in eight parts, would last.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of performer

Browse Nearby Words

instrumental

instrumentalist

instrumentalists

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“Instrumentalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumentalist. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instrumentalist

noun

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