1
as in melodic
having a pleasantly flowing quality suggestive of music
the lyrical cadences of voice-over narration give the film a very poignant quality
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poetic
having qualities suggestive of poetry
the photographer achieves a very lyrical effect with her intentionally blurred images of flowers growing in the wild
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of lyrical
As his tone grows more drawn-out and guttural, and Thomas’ lyrical touch gives way to percussive attack, the rhythm section ups the ante, picking up speed like a gathering tornado.
—
Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
The real stars here are John Kander and Fred Ebb, who penned a score that drips with melodic aspiration and lyrical cynicism, and Bob Fosse, whose erotically muscular choreography is the perfect match.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Their unwillingness to engage beyond the surface means a refusal to examine rap’s layered explorations of life, pride and pain, described through lyrical humor, social commentary and witty wordplay.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
On Witness And Respair by Jesmyn Ward Jesmyn Ward reflects on over a decade of life and writing, exploring her upbringing in rural Mississippi, literary influences, and personal tragedies with hauntingly lyrical prose.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lyrical
Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
The real stars here are John Kander and Fred Ebb, who penned a score that drips with melodic aspiration and lyrical cynicism, and Bob Fosse, whose erotically muscular choreography is the perfect match.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Their unwillingness to engage beyond the surface means a refusal to examine rap’s layered explorations of life, pride and pain, described through lyrical humor, social commentary and witty wordplay.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
On Witness And Respair by Jesmyn Ward Jesmyn Ward reflects on over a decade of life and writing, exploring her upbringing in rural Mississippi, literary influences, and personal tragedies with hauntingly lyrical prose.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lyrical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyrical
Adjective
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The campaign unfolds as a romantic American pop star fantasy, where soft vintage femininity meets Western Americana and melodic storytelling.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
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Tracks may start with classy piano, but subtlety is almost never the end product; the group wields sidechains like a bandolier, extracting the maximum possible velocity in every kick while retaining the gooey melodic centre.—
Nathan Evans,
Pitchfork,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Braun had an unlikely poetic ally in the mystery novelist Dorothy Sayers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Arnaud Desplechin’s poetic ode to cinema.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the end, Turn (W)here became largely a book of experimental and lyric essays, some framed as archival documents, passport stamps, and definitions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
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Over the top of these more ragged edges, Llobet takes a pointillistic approach to lyric writing, favoring half-thoughts and dreamy images that coalesce into a picture of unsettled anxiety.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Lyrical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyrical. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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