1
as in poem
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect
would you care to read your short lyric aloud?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
the guitarist sang a gentle lyric while playing
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lyrical
having a pleasantly flowing quality suggestive of music
they performed a slow, lyric dance for the audience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poetic
having qualities suggestive of poetry
the film's lyric photography really enhanced its romantic mood
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lyric
Tara Palmeri, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Are there any specific lyrics that really resonate with you?
—Kristine Kwak, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2026
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Neither one gets another step in its lyric imagery.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lyric
Noun
Onstage, musicians scroll through New Age worship lyrics on iPhones propped on tripods, where hymnals once might have been.
—Tara Palmeri, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Are there any specific lyrics that really resonate with you?
—Kristine Kwak, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Animated by an irreverent zaniness, Egger’s poetry fuses elements drawn from contemporary idiom and from lyric tradition to render a surreal world that interrogates existential questions about desire and grief.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Neither one gets another step in its lyric imagery.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lyric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyric
Noun
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Last month, Universal Pictures released a teaser trailer for The Odyssey, adapted from Homer's ancient Greek poem of the same name.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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The whimsical term has also been the title of countless poems, songs and books about remarkable coincidences or eureka moments.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At the height of Jodeci’s freaky hip-hop soul ballads, the group’s mastermind, DeVanté Swing, gathered a bunch of hungry musicians from around the country and dropped them in a 24/7 writing camp.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
20 Jan. 2026
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Driven by gentle electric guitar riffs and drums, this sublime pop ballad captures the purest feeling inspired by someone who shares our same upbringing and DNA.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The San Bernardino band is a pioneer of the subgenre, which blends the traditional instrumentation of Mexican folk balladry with elements of American trap music, namely its beats and the gritty lyrical content that deals with matters of moving contraband, turf wars and endless hustle.—
Andrea Flores
Jan. 8,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
But Parton's heartfelt and lyrical promise also has a long history with the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley.—
Bob Mehr,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Within this contemporary Yiddish poetic landscape, Irena Klepfisz occupies a unique niche.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Once your mind is clear, use poetic artistry to craft your message into something aesthetically beautiful.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One no longer purchases an album—one purchases a subscription service that grants access to basically every album and song ever made.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
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Its songs felt engineered for a highly distinct mood, and his voice, a husky brooding tone that was grizzled by Auto-Tune, functioned more as another instrument in the mix than typical vocals.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The dramatic arc of the film’s first half — filled with the ecstasy of God’s embrace and the agony of imprisonment — is told through musical numbers, adapted from the Shakers’ ecstatic worship, dance, hymns, and music (watch the video above to learn more).—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Christmas hymn was originally intended for a choir with a string quartet, percussion and piano, but Amato picked out a solo piano version of the piece written by musician Dan Forrest.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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These remixes, with actual tension between their textures and keen melodic interplay, live up to the best of Two Shell’s work better than the duo themselves these days.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
12 Jan. 2026
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Although Jerry Garcia cast the longest shadow across the legend of the Dead with his dark, complexly melodic songs and his hazy, frayed vocals, Weir’s shadow was more translucent, melodically lighter and rhythmically astute.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Svelte yet heavy, Clipse’s latest sees all their phonetic and poetical gifts rendered to subtly maximal effect, with their lithe vocals cresting Pharrell’s glossy surfaces like snowfall.—
Peter A. Berry,
Variety,
11 July 2025
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Through the map, like the ship, Pace argues, time, space, and place are linked to cultural, personal, poetical, and political memory.—
Abby Clayton,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lyric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyric. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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