as in musicians
a person who plays a musical instrument
he excels as a conductor, a composer, and as an instrumentalist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 instrumentalists
The latter features performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, instrumentalists and other creators actively working in the recording industry.
—
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
And the same can be said for the other recent Megadeth albums – Mustaine’s vocals often feel like a burden to the songs, and the band’s instrumentalists do most of the heavy lifting, including Mustaine himself.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This year’s lineup will feature 18 instrumentalists and singers, including Bryan Shaw, Dan Barrett, Danny Coots, Dawn Lambeth, Duke Heitger, Harry Allen, Jason Fabus, Jason Wanner and Jon-Erik Kellso.
—Holly Alvarado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 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
Yet, McBride — one of the top instrumentalists and band leaders in all of jazz today — also delivered the goods during his own 75-minute set with his versatile band Ursa Major.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
There may have been better singers, dancers, instrumentalists, performers and visual artists — but absolutely no one combined those talents as vividly as Prince did.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Headliners include perennial favorite folk-rockers Gaelic Storm, Dublin folk quartet The High Kings, modern Scottish instrumentalists Talisk, young folk singer Emma Langford and fiddler Eileen Ivers, among others.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2025
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
And the same can be said for the other recent Megadeth albums – Mustaine’s vocals often feel like a burden to the songs, and the band’s instrumentalists do most of the heavy lifting, including Mustaine himself.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This year’s lineup will feature 18 instrumentalists and singers, including Bryan Shaw, Dan Barrett, Danny Coots, Dawn Lambeth, Duke Heitger, Harry Allen, Jason Fabus, Jason Wanner and Jon-Erik Kellso.
—Holly Alvarado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 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
Yet, McBride — one of the top instrumentalists and band leaders in all of jazz today — also delivered the goods during his own 75-minute set with his versatile band Ursa Major.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
There may have been better singers, dancers, instrumentalists, performers and visual artists — but absolutely no one combined those talents as vividly as Prince did.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Headliners include perennial favorite folk-rockers Gaelic Storm, Dublin folk quartet The High Kings, modern Scottish instrumentalists Talisk, young folk singer Emma Langford and fiddler Eileen Ivers, among others.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumentalists
Noun
-
While there’s no date on when a new album may arrive, or even when the musicians will enter the studio, the Highwomen are confirmed for at least one appearance.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
-
This adaptation of the Grammy-winning album brings together musicians, actors and dancers from around the globe.—
Jeffrey Miller,
Oc Register,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In 1996, Jackson turned his attention to the Academy Awards, angered that there was only one Black nominee among the 166 artists nominated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The festival includes six stages with cultural entertainment throughout the park along with live performances by chart-topping artists such as Fitz and the Tantrums, The Band Perry and Walker Hayes.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
