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 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 Fleecs called a film composer friend, Nima Fakhrara, who arranged the song with the lyrics Fleecs and Seeley wrote. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 The musical comedy also stars Halle Bailey, Eisenberg and Bernadette Peters, with music and lyrics by Eisenberg. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 The group then commenced writing lyrics for their song, alternating between singing and rapping adorably. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026 Kimmel asked if the musician regularly receives lyrics via text. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 The British singer, 27, composed and co-wrote the lyrics with Bastian Langebæk and Max Wolfgang, according to the song credits on Spotify. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The eight-part documentary reflects on his life and times by deconstructing his lyrics, à la his 2010 memoir, Decoded, authored by journalist and filmmaker dream hampton. — John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2026 But the band’s sonic palette has gradually expanded to include synths, horns, and strings, with McCaughan’s lyrics getting more personal as well as more pointedly political over time even as his voice remains an eternally youthful yelp. — Charles Moss, SPIN, 30 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyrics
  1. poems
  2. songs
  3. ballads
  4. vocals
  5. hymns
Noun
  • The prolific and acclaimed writer and activist used his liberal beliefs and his agrarian roots in Kentucky to craft novels, poems and essays connecting the natural world to humankind.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This beautiful retrospective volume shows a poet developing steadily, from the graceful descriptions and encoded trauma of the poems from the 1990s through the loosening music and political engagement of the books of the last ten years.
    — Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of poems
Noun
  • Like every Lucy project, there are also swing-for-the-fences samples, of the kinds of old, viral songs that create communities of nostalgic yearners in their YouTube comments.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Probably no one in the world is yet willing to place a bet on Ella Langley or Sienna Spiro pulling off an album win on top of BNA and possible wins for their breakout signature songs, but stranger Cinderella stories have happened.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 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
  • Chastain will contribute her own vocals to the film’s soundtrack.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, there were some proper studio sessions to get things going and record vocals sometimes, but truly, a lot of this album happened outside of the studio.
    — Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 6 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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