lyrics

noun

plural of lyric
1
as in poems
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect would you care to read your short lyric aloud?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in songs
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment the guitarist sang a gentle lyric while playing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 lyrics Not so, the guitarist affirms, while acknowledging that the lyrics could be read that way. — Katherine Turman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026 The band’s inscrutable lyrics and ramshackle approach make for songs that feel like unintentional and effortless anthems, rock ’n’ roll castoffs that catalyzed new possibilities. — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 2026 At 25 years old, the Mexican folk artist is an old-soul whose music is rooted in intimate lyrics and acoustic melodies, backed by his tender-yet-soulful vocals. — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026 The musical features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Olivier Award winner Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2026 But the rest of the musical numbers and lyrics don’t exactly pack a punch. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Nov. 2026 Labat says that the more music — aided by artificial intelligence and technology — has moved away from simple approaches to lyrics and melodies, the more he’s been drawn back to them. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2026 Lynching, the musical’s song lyrics occasionally remind, is always a looming reality. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026 The band’s sonic palette and songwriting show impressive growth here, but their lyrics have grown much darker. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyrics
  1. poems
  2. songs
  3. ballads
  4. vocals
  5. hymns
Noun
  • In 1981 she was honored with the Jnanpith Award, one of India’s most prestigious literary awards, for her collection of poems titled Kagaz Te Canvas.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Her work links poems and artworks to questions of justice, belonging and national memory.
    — Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of poems
Noun
  • In Kot’s eyes, the band was stunting its artistic growth by becoming a familiar, corporate brand à la the Rolling Stones; for Bono, there were some good songs on Voodoo Lounge.
    — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Keyboardist Jason Derlatka took over for two songs — also capturing Perry’s pipes with eerie precision.
    — Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of songs
Noun
  • While Dion’s enthusiasm might come as a surprise to fans more familiar with her soaring ballads, her appreciation for Metallica is hardly new.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Was there anything about performing power ballads that bothered you?
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of ballads
Noun
  • Over industrial/electro darkwave, MacKay was a composed presence, delivering vocals with casual ease, propping his foot on an amp while leaning into the crowd, and lightly resting his elbow on the mic stand.
    — Sarah Moroz, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 2026
  • At 25 years old, the Mexican folk artist is an old-soul whose music is rooted in intimate lyrics and acoustic melodies, backed by his tender-yet-soulful vocals.
    — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of vocals
Noun
  • At the conclusion of an English-language service interspersed with hymns in Arabic, the priest introduced Salazar, who stood up in the front row, smiling and waving.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The atmosphere feels similar to Pentecostal churches, with the hymns and spiritual declarations very familiar to those sung in other churches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of hymns

Browse Nearby Words

lyricists
lyrics
lyrist
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Cite this Entry

“Lyrics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyrics. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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