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 My Presbyterian Romance gatherings pair lyrics with Bible passages, bringing together longtime fans, churchgoers and newcomers to explore faith. — Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Even the outro gives that familiar groove one final twist, carrying the chorus’ melodic and rhythmic framework into new lyrics rather than simply repeating the chorus again. — David Penn, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026 Hell’s Kitchen features music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, opening to strong reviews on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in April 2024 following its world-premiere engagement at The Public Theater. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 Lu won best actress at the 1987 Asia Pacific Film Festival, and the theme song, with lyrics by Wu Nien-jen, took the Golden Horse for best original film song. — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 The book is by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026 Few of her words survived the torrents of sound in which they were immersed; as with certain Grouper recordings, the lyrics emerged as texture more than syntax. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026 Kimmel asked if the musician regularly receives lyrics via text. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyrics
  1. poems
  2. songs
  3. ballads
  4. vocals
  5. hymns
Noun
  • Many poems are short and easy reads, and some of the best examples of the genre have been written about the autumn season.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • My physical study, on the floor, poking at what was there in the open field of the air, led to newfound levels of learning to process, in poems on the page, where my initial feelings of hunger came from.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of poems
Noun
  • Original songs performed in the film are written by Morley and Carly Paradis, who also handled the score.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The songs on Purdy also have the tone of journal entries, detailing haggard trips to the grocery store, daydreams about his young daughters’ glamorous adult lives, and observations about the banality of oppression.
    — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of songs
Noun
  • But on the piano, laser-beamed into his songcraft, he’s quietly electrified, at seemingly at peace as his tenorous vocal glissando and nimble fingerwork on the piano produce shiveringly tender folk ballads that echo Harry Nilsson and Van Morrison.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Local-language pop ballads and American rap music blast from speakers.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of ballads
Noun
  • For the rest of the show, Love sat in place, singing along but ceding his usual lead vocals and master of ceremonies roles to others.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The sketch is narrated by a wedding band (James Austin Johnson, Andrew Dismukes, Tommy Brennan) who kind of kill it with the vocals as well.
    — Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of vocals
Noun
  • 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
  • In the southernmost car, dozens press together and sway in their prayer shawls to the hymns of the morning service.
    — Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 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 18 Oct. 2026.

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