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
Related 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 lilt
Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
There is something so soothing and encouraging about the old-school campy lilt to her voice.
—Raquel Willis, Time, 19 June 2025
David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025
Platt has assembled key creatives from his own Oscar-winning La La Land including songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who have provided some lively and lilting new tunes.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Noun
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
There is something so soothing and encouraging about the old-school campy lilt to her voice.
—Raquel Willis, Time, 19 June 2025
Verb
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
Platt has assembled key creatives from his own Oscar-winning La La Land including songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who have provided some lively and lilting new tunes.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lilt
Noun
-
The interior is inspired by Japandi aesthetics — a blend of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism — with simple cabinetry, natural cherry wood finishes, soft bronze and antique brass accents, and soft white walls with muted green tones.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Fox also added some graphic accents, which included red splatters to evoke Kennedy's tragic killing.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The melody is crooning and desperate, and their harmonies intertwine in a way that is supposed to mirror their bodies.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In the bit, Rihanna and Ronnie (Andy Samberg) are dropping knowledge to a group of grade schoolers with the singer crooning in her power range as timid Ronnie can barely rise above a whisper to her utter consternation.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
According to Huck, the launch cadence isn’t expected to slow down in 2026.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Its reusability, coupled with clean fuel, aligns with growing defense interest in sustainable, repeatable test platforms that can dramatically reduce costs and accelerate flight cadence.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
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
-
These chapters are about the rhythms of life for this person, a college teacher.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The four of them built a new rhythm together, finding comfort in each other amid the bustle of everyday life.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Is there a way to keep your knives sharp longer? A.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Choirs of insects clicked and hummed.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Right off the bat, the room was humming.—
Elizabeth Leonard,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sounds of loud trilling shouts after silent hunts, and singing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The blast furnace of volcanoes has fallen silent, replaced by birdsong trilling from the branches and echoing through a garden of exotic stone.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lilt. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share