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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Since then, fans have been speculating about the meaning behind the lyrics. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026 Absolutely’s groundedness can, in part, be credited to the journey of creating her second studio album, Paracosm, a dark-leaning, 13-track record that features self-examining lyrics and dynamic vocals, ranging from airy whispers to soaring belts. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Adjective
The song was paired with a lyric video that reuses two-decade-old footage shot by collaborator Cliff Watts, who also photographed Beyoncé’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2026 According to a release from Parkwood Entertainment, the song arrives along with a lyric video directed by Cliff Watts that repurposes old footage. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 4 July 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
  • Adapted from Blake’s poem into song by Hubert Parry, ‘Jerusalem’ may be slower-paced than ‘God Save The King’ but its fluctuations in pace and tone at least give it some momentum.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • My perspectives on the poem have been informed and shaped by the work of many brilliant colleagues and predecessors, including those in this volume and many more.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 31 July 2026
Definition of poem
Noun
  • The power ballad rises dramatically on both of the company’s worldwide songs tallies after debuting on the pair only one frame ago.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Originally conceived as a slow ballad, the song evolved into a brighter, more expansive arrangement.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 20 July 2026
Definition of ballad
Adjective
  • For someone who performs in a mask and had often relied on metaphor to guide his lyrical decisions, his connection with his fans is unusually close.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026
  • The soundtrack—by the frequent Hans Zimmer collaborator David Fleming—is a delight, a polyphonic mood board of ghost-clangs, spooky bassoons, lyrical electro-motifs, and sighing sea themes.
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of lyrical
Adjective
  • The photos are accompanied by poetic fragments of text from several sitters on their faith, desires and memories.
    — Michael-Oliver Harding, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • That’s Emily Wilson, whose poetic translation of The Odyssey is probably the most well-liked and eminently accessible for modern readers, writing in the London Review of Books about Christopher Nolan‘s latest film.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 27 July 2026
Definition of poetic
Noun
  • Students from Rebel Song Academy, Harmony Project and Base Academy of Music will all take the stage, while Stars Out, a youth performance group, will perform songs connected to Kansas City musicians whose contributions are often overlooked.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • His voice has weathered over the years, but that only added character to songs built on grit and honesty.
    — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of song
Noun
  • The rugby union side’s is ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’, originally an African-American hymn sung by slaves in the United States in the mid-19th century.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • The hymn was dubbed by the NAACP as the Black national anthem in the early 1900s.
    — PJ Green July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of hymn
Adjective
  • In Delta blues, however, the call-and-response was typically between the singer’s voice (the call) and a melodic phrase on the guitar (the response).
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • The group, whose sound has often been described as melodic hardcore and alternative rock, has released four albums, each to more success and acclaim than the last.
    — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lyric

Nglish: Translation of lyric for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lyric

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