as in musicians
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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Recent Examples of instrumentalists
On Saturday there were nearly 400 student instrumentalists and vocalists one time or another on stage at Disney, members of a large symphony orchestra, a concert orchestra, a big band, a mariachi ensemble and the Titan Banda Oaxaquena.
—
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Asake’s last live outing in North America was his Red Bull Symphonic concert, which transformed many of his fan favorites into reworked orchestral versions backed by classical instrumentalists and Nigerian talking drummers alike.
—Emanuel Okusanya, Variety, 26 May 2026
Bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White, the remaining instrumentalists from Yes’ classic ’70s era, contributed little more than scaffolding beneath Horn’s whizbangs.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026
Community members of all ages are invited to participate as soloists, duets, small groups or instrumentalists.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The latter features performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, instrumentalists and other creators actively working in the recording industry.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
Among thrash metal’s Big Four, which includes Metallica, Megadeth Slayer, and Anthrax, Megadeth have always stood out for having superb instrumentalists throughout its career.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The nonprofit's competitions are open to junior, intermediate and advanced levels for instrumentalists, vocalists, duets and chamber ensembles.
—Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 20 Jan. 2026
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
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Asake’s last live outing in North America was his Red Bull Symphonic concert, which transformed many of his fan favorites into reworked orchestral versions backed by classical instrumentalists and Nigerian talking drummers alike.
—Emanuel Okusanya, Variety, 26 May 2026
Bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White, the remaining instrumentalists from Yes’ classic ’70s era, contributed little more than scaffolding beneath Horn’s whizbangs.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026
Community members of all ages are invited to participate as soloists, duets, small groups or instrumentalists.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The latter features performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, instrumentalists and other creators actively working in the recording industry.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
Among thrash metal’s Big Four, which includes Metallica, Megadeth Slayer, and Anthrax, Megadeth have always stood out for having superb instrumentalists throughout its career.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The nonprofit's competitions are open to junior, intermediate and advanced levels for instrumentalists, vocalists, duets and chamber ensembles.
—Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 20 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumentalists
Noun
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The film is debuting at the annual festival with other documentaries featuring fellow musicians, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Peter Frampton, and Alicia Keys.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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The American Federation of Musicians (AFM), a union for session musicians, is suing Universal Music Group (UMG) and Warner Music Group (WMG) for breaching their collective bargaining agreement over use of their music by AI programs.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Additionally, Altos de Chavón, a stunning Mediterranean-style amphitheater, is the perfect place to enjoy concerts by major international artists.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
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In recent years, drag has been positioned as a cultural lightning rod as part of a right-wing political effort to paint drag artists as depraved actors out to pervert gender norms, especially for children.—
David Mack,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Alaska, Hawaiian are consistent performers The AQR also singled out Alaska Airlines as the steadiest performer in the industry.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instrumentalists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumentalists. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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