lyric 1 of 2

noun

ˈlir-ik How to pronounce lyric (audio)
Definition of lyricnext
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?

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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

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lyric

2 of 2

adjective

1
as in lyrical
having a pleasantly flowing quality suggestive of music they performed a slow, lyric dance for the audience

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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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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 lyric
Noun
The lyrics to Musgraves’ fun, flirty tune from this year’s Middle of Nowhere album is an homage to an irresistible, magnetic love. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026 Their research included the study of the erotic novels penned by Spanish writer and fashion designer Álvaro Retana, who also wrote lyrics for saucy songs of the type that Cruz performs in La Bola Negra. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Prose poetry, the lyric essay and other hybrid forms of literature play at the intersection of genre, which usually defines these separate categories of writing. — Amy Cannon, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026 The scales are infinite, and the lyric combinations are infinite. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lyric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyric
  1. poem
  2. ballad
  3. lyrical
  4. poetic
  5. song
  6. hymn
  7. melodic
  8. poetical
Noun
  • In its simplest definition, a ballad is a poem or song that tells a story.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • One of us would be chosen to recite the poem onstage—a kitsch performance, no doubt, so that an auditorium of adults would be moved to tears.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of poem
Noun
  • The ballad finds Fontaines’ Grian Chatten and Rosalía trading lines over a moody acoustic strum that repeatedly swells with strings and clattering drums.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
  • But on the piano, laser-beamed into his songcraft, he’s quietly electrified, at seemingly at peace as his tenorous vocal glissando and nimble fingerwork on the piano produce shiveringly tender folk ballads that echo Harry Nilsson and Van Morrison.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ballad
Adjective
  • Ye voiced their lyrical competition, griped about feeling unappreciated, and, most notably, suggested that Jay-Z copied one of his collaboration ideas and released it first.
    — John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The music is catchy and fun, though some of its lyrical content may give parents pause.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of lyrical
Adjective
  • Underpinning the mix is King’s poetic sense of texture, tone, materiality, and form, every vignette a study in contrasts.
    — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • While Charles Zana’s interiors projects and designs whisper poetic refinement, he’s drawn to edgy works of postmodern art.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of poetic
Noun
  • Composer Ghulam Mohammed died in 1968 after writing the songs, leaving Naushad to complete the background score.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The song makes clear that while Jake Shane might not be this generation’s Truman Capote, Troye Sivan certainly isn’t either.
    — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of song
Noun
  • At a campaign event held at a college chapel in Lindsborg, Hamilton led the crowd in a hymn and did not mention his opponent by name.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • From the beginning, Dolly’s one request of [country singer] Porter [Wagoner] was that she be allowed to include a hymn or a Gospel song in each of their shows.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of hymn
Adjective
  • Your music can be melodic, painful, street and vulnerable all at once.
    — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
  • As the scene unfolds, however, the music begins to empty out, giving way to darker, lower melodic textures.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of melodic
Adjective
  • There are ones who are more ideological, others more poetical.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
  • 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
Definition of poetical

Browse Nearby Words

lynx-eyed
lyric
lyrical
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Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Lyric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyric. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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