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
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
So David offers Sarah a ride back to the city, at which point the car-radio version of Tinder with the mellifluous lilt directs them to a mysterious red door in the middle of nowhere.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
The show starts calmly with the dapper musician Coalhouse Walker Jr. astride his piano bench, playing a gentle, lilting ragtime melody.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Noun
Being the naive newbie in Idaho does suit Cale, with his British lilt and fey enthusiasm for the manliness of the West.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
So David offers Sarah a ride back to the city, at which point the car-radio version of Tinder with the mellifluous lilt directs them to a mysterious red door in the middle of nowhere.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Carpenter is plainly a student of Parton’s, evoking her pinup styling (voluminous hair, big red lips), her persona (sharp with a knowing wink), and her voice, which is rich and husky and accompanied by a country lilt.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
The show starts calmly with the dapper musician Coalhouse Walker Jr. astride his piano bench, playing a gentle, lilting ragtime melody.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lilt
Noun
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The design is modern and clean-lined with soaring peaked ceilings, lots of dark wood, soothing white and neutral accents and, importantly, private outdoor space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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She and her son are seen posing in front of a mirror together, before Spears begins speaking in an English accent and seemingly simulating a humping motion while wearing tight shorts and a top that exposes her midsection.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over the radio, Bing Crosby is crooning, Bob Hope is joking, and news of the war — against Hitler, against Japan — keeps sizzling and crackling across the dial.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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Marcel In the heat of the afternoon, the Fort Worth blues singer Marcel — as in Brandon Marcel, a close collaborator and backing singer for Leon Bridges — crooned his way through a half-hour set while Bridges swayed and applauded from the side of the stage.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The phrase had the cadence of a punchline without a joke, and people kept repeating it.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
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The track treads with a cautious cadence through its first verse and refrain, then pauses.—
Marissa Lorusso,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The track begins with Winter’s distinct vocals warbling and wobbling over a tender percussion groove.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
8 July 2025
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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 6-foot-3, 185-pound Fland had difficulty establish his role and rhythm during nonconference play.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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While Fisher’s athleticism leaves a lot to be desired, his high IQ and ability to diagnose from the middle make up for athletic limitations with an extra step on breaking up an offensive rhythm.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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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Laying things out in advance improves teamwork and keeps every bond humming beautifully.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
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Analysts say that long-term outlook for the AI buildout looks strong and that should keep Vertiv's earnings growth humming at an impressive clip.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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During her performance, Bell trilled through possible name changes for actors.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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Is that panic, when the flute trills high?—
Linnie Greene,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lilt. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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