as in poets
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 lyricists
The distinction is further underscored by the involvement of The Roots, whose co-founder and lead MC, Black Thought, is widely regarded as one of hip-hop's greatest lyricists.
—
Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
The film features original songs and score by composers/lyricists Sharon Kenny and Kirsten Guenther, who are also collaborating on an upcoming stage musical produced by Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door/The Carlson Company.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 May 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
Witty, imaginative, and brushed with a whisper of melancholy, Blue Moon is a perceptive portrait of one of the 20th century’s finest lyricists.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 3 Dec. 2025
The Songwriters Hall of Fame, founded in 1969, honors lyricists and composers whose work represents a lasting influence on the music industry.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
No two lyricists write lyrics the same way, just as no two novelists write novels the same way.
—Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
So that would be the difference to me, of working with them, as far as them as lyricists.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
The film features original songs and score by composers/lyricists Sharon Kenny and Kirsten Guenther, who are also collaborating on an upcoming stage musical produced by Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door/The Carlson Company.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 May 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
Witty, imaginative, and brushed with a whisper of melancholy, Blue Moon is a perceptive portrait of one of the 20th century’s finest lyricists.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 3 Dec. 2025
The Songwriters Hall of Fame, founded in 1969, honors lyricists and composers whose work represents a lasting influence on the music industry.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
No two lyricists write lyrics the same way, just as no two novelists write novels the same way.
—Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
So that would be the difference to me, of working with them, as far as them as lyricists.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyricists
Noun
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To follow the Nakasendo is to walk in the footsteps of merchants and warriors, poets and pilgrims—and to write your own story into its centuries-old landscape.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
-
Kings, poets, scientists and revolutionaries wanted to meet him and sought his advice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Going forward, songwriters and composers of new material on winning albums in most genre album categories will receive Grammy statuettes and achievement certificates, bringing their recognition in line with producers and engineers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
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Jones was joined by a variety of different composers from some of the biggest shows of the past year at the composer roundtable.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Noun
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In a related move that extends recognition for songwriters, contributors to winning albums in most genre album categories will now receive Grammy statuettes and Achievement Certificates, which producers and engineers already receive.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
16 June 2026
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Starting this year, the Academy said, songwriters and composers on new material on albums will get Grammy statuettes and achievement certificates, giving them the same treatment as producers and engineers.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lyricists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyricists. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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