as in poet
a person who writes lyrics and especially the words of a song
The widely acclaimed lyricist has penned many of pop music's most famous songs.
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Recent Examples of lyricist
As a source of inspiration and catharsis, writing about her own experiences has never been a problem for the singer-lyricist.
—
Steve Appleford, SPIN, 23 Apr. 2026
Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin had rewritten the song, which was about Marilyn Monroe, with new lyrics about Princess Diana.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
This new musical by playwright/lyricist Ali Viterbi and composer/lyricist Toby Singer tells the true stories of two Hungarian Jews in Budapest during World War II.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
By contrast, Sondheim was consistently accessible and encouraging to younger composers and lyricists even as his own artistic output sputtered.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lyricist
Steve Appleford, SPIN, 23 Apr. 2026
Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin had rewritten the song, which was about Marilyn Monroe, with new lyrics about Princess Diana.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
This new musical by playwright/lyricist Ali Viterbi and composer/lyricist Toby Singer tells the true stories of two Hungarian Jews in Budapest during World War II.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
By contrast, Sondheim was consistently accessible and encouraging to younger composers and lyricists even as his own artistic output sputtered.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lyricist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyricist
Noun
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James Lasdun’s new book, The Family Man, reckons with the Alex Murdaugh murder case, which the poet, novelist, screenwriter, and short-story writer covered for The New Yorker.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
17 June 2026
-
James Baldwin, a poet, activist and essayist, is one of the most influential figures in American history.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Noun
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The film is dedicated to the late composer Sakamoto Ryuichi, whose experimental late-period music Kogonada drew on throughout the project.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
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Conlon also launched Recovered Voices, an initiative to revive operas by composers who had been murdered or driven into exile during the Nazi era.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Over the years performers have included the Thunder Mountain Boys, folk singer and songwriter David Wilcox, and repeat guest and American music legend John Prine.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
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Got so inspired, got the songwriter zoomies, went home, wrote the end-credit song for Toy Story 5.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lyricist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyricist. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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