lilting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of liltingnext
1
as in swaying

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in jaunty

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Dissimilar Words

lilting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lilt
as in crooning

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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 lilting
Adjective
Tripping along a lilting triplet rhythm, the album opens with one of its catchiest melodies—and one of those sleight-of-hand maneuvers that are Hoop’s specialty. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 19 May 2026 At the song’s lilting refrain, the kids led the teams onto the field, the crowd growing still louder. — Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 21 Apr. 2026 The Duchess of Alba was, according to her close friend Raúl del Pozo, an excellent hostess, friend, and horsewoman, and quite intelligent despite the impression left by her lilting voice. — Paloma Simón, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026 The second violins introduce the second movement with a soft, lilting quality, creating music that’s elegant and musically complex. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lilting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lilting
  1. swaying
  2. jaunty
  3. crooning
  4. musical
  5. sprightly
  6. quavering
  7. chirpy
  8. trilling
Adjective
  • As the sun set below blush clouds, the gently swaying crowd matched the R&B singer’s sultry energy.
    — Anna Haines, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of swaying
Adjective
  • Active cooling flaps adorn the shapely nose, and there’s a jaunty active decklid spoiler.
    — Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 15 July 2026
  • Clad in three-piece tailoring, pristine shoes and often a jaunty hat, this group comprises the influencers, brand founders, buyers, and journalists that orbit the menswear market.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 19 June 2026
Definition of jaunty
Verb
  • The minute-long clip, shared on June 10, shows Langley crooning the late '90s ballad while accompanying herself on piano.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 16 June 2026
  • The camera pans to Cody crooning while strumming his guitar throughout the video.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Definition of crooning
Adjective
  • The latter line, in its phrasing and melody and even the musical tone of its words, is an almost perfect mimic of Santa Claus asking Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to guide his sleigh.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
  • Aside from his unbilled appearances on most of the songs on Jay Electronica’s 2020 album A Written Testimony, Jay-Z’s musical output has been sporadic and rare in recent years.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 14 July 2026
Definition of musical
Adjective
  • Julius seems to have approached his spying with a sprightly, if naive, enthusiasm.
    — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
  • Deutch was marvelous as Jean Seberg in last year’s Nouvelle Vague, Richard Linklater’s sprightly film about the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s New Wave classic Breathless.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of sprightly
Verb
  • Tiny Silver was a birdlike woman, either very young or very old, quavering.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • Softly so as not to drown out the quavering notes, the congregation put words to the melody.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Definition of quavering
Adjective
  • After New Year’s our mother dumps it, with all the glossy families and chirpy letters, in the trash.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
  • Also in residence is roommate Susie (Thaddea Graham), a chirpy cosplayer — and coincidentally Jinx’s biggest fan — whose skills will become valuable as Margo, needing cash, sets off into the world of OnlyFans.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of chirpy
Verb
  • Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm Campground This trail almost entirely follows the coast for 7 miles, with a soundtrack of lapping waves, trilling loons, and the occasional outboard motor.
    — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026
  • In a now-viral clip, Carpenter overheard someone from the crowd trilling during her set for Weekend 1 and asked if the audience member was yodeling.
    — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of trilling

Browse Nearby Words

lilted
lilting
lilts
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Cite this Entry

“Lilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lilting. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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