as in accent
the attractive quality of speech or music that rises and falls in a pleasing pattern
There was a charming lilt to her voice. a tune with a lilt
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Recent Examples of lilt
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
The news people are announcing on repeat a mantra suffused with an English lilt in their mouths, that the fires haven’t gorged themselves on the rainforests like this in over half a century.
—Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
The Canadian jazz crooner once again brings her lush contralto and lilting piano to the cozy waterside locale on Tuesday night.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Noun
Stitt, 61, still talks about Mines with a lilt in his voice.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
The news people are announcing on repeat a mantra suffused with an English lilt in their mouths, that the fires haven’t gorged themselves on the rainforests like this in over half a century.
—Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
Verb
Jackie sought the support of her father, Roberto, who immigrated to the United States from Guadalajara in his 20s, with the conception and creation of the lilting terracotta and rebar sculpture.
—Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
The Canadian jazz crooner once again brings her lush contralto and lilting piano to the cozy waterside locale on Tuesday night.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lilt
Noun
-
Here are six overdone or dated decor accents the designers specifically called out.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The expansive, affordable retailer offers all kinds of furniture, decorative accents, and beyond that appeals to a wide range of styles and home sizes.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Murray — beloved for iconic roles in Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack and other films — croons spirited renditions of timeless songs, from Bob Dylan to the Kinks to Tommy Tutone.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
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The 20-year-old crooned the melancholic record backed solely by a solemn piano melody.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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According to Damien Routely, these include messy ownership of decisions and no reliable view of cash or delivery cadence, which indicate a weak and unclear leadership structure; the inability to properly articulate what the business actually is, and a refusal to listen and assimilate feedback.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Now, the new capital will go towards increasing the production capacity of its hypersonic vehicles so as to increase the test flight cadence.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The track begins with Winter’s distinct vocals warbling and wobbling over a tender percussion groove.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
8 July 2025
-
The famous John Williams fanfare that blasted Star Wars onto our screens had appreciably less impact than even a standard screen would now offer, let alone IMAX and Dolby Cinema premium offerings while at some parts of the film, the sound warbled a little, before returning to normal.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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The lopsided score was a result of suffocating defense from the Chieftains, who never allowed Swampscott (10-2) to gain even an iota of rhythm on offense.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Just establish a rhythm and build from there.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the fall, the workers trade in their pruning shears for knives sharp enough to skin a deer in minutes.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Nov. 2025
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Today there’s a rich universe of supplemental Pynchon material ranging from prose only an English PhD could unpack, to sharp analysis that makes the experience of reading Pynchon communal and fun.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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San Francisco’s rooftop bars deliver a heady blend of skyline drama and cocktail craft—Starlite brings its storied perch back to life with Art Deco shimmer and late‑night DJ sets, while Cavaña hums with Latin spirits and sweeping Bay Bridge views.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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When the Dolphins’ battered Hope Machine is polished and humming again.—
Greg Cote
January 22,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The sound design is visceral and satisfying, with insects trilling, horses snuffing, and boots in gravel subbing for a traditional score.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
11 Dec. 2025
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My mother trilled vapidly over these mundane facts.—
Madhuri Vijay,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lilt. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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