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
Relevance
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
At the end, Bono ad libbed lyrics for the occasion.
—
Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Continue reading … MISSED SIGNALS — Bunnie Xo dropped cryptic lyrics, ditched her ring before Jelly Roll divorce news broke.
—FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
Ozzy was the madman up front, usually singing brooding lyrics written by Geezer.
—Steve Appleford, SPIN, 17 June 2026
Local MCs, even Larsen's mother, read old lyrics, which were combined with old recordings and fed into an AI program.
—Jason Rantala, CBS News, 17 June 2026
The production features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
The show features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
That covers the music; the lyrics and composition are an entirely separate right known as publishing, which, by contrast, follows the composition, and therefore the song through every new recording.
—Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 15 June 2026
On two sensuous, R&B-leaning songs in the middle of the record, Káryyn’s newfound directness is reflected in her lyrics.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Continue reading … MISSED SIGNALS — Bunnie Xo dropped cryptic lyrics, ditched her ring before Jelly Roll divorce news broke.
—FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
Ozzy was the madman up front, usually singing brooding lyrics written by Geezer.
—Steve Appleford, SPIN, 17 June 2026
Local MCs, even Larsen's mother, read old lyrics, which were combined with old recordings and fed into an AI program.
—Jason Rantala, CBS News, 17 June 2026
The production features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
The show features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
That covers the music; the lyrics and composition are an entirely separate right known as publishing, which, by contrast, follows the composition, and therefore the song through every new recording.
—Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 15 June 2026
On two sensuous, R&B-leaning songs in the middle of the record, Káryyn’s newfound directness is reflected in her lyrics.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyrics
Noun
-
The poems explore themes of loss, identity, artmaking and the natural world, as well as the 1885 expulsion of Chinese immigrants from Eureka, California.—
Suzanne Van Atten,
AJC.com,
21 June 2026
-
But some users find clever ways to sidestep those controls, by disguising sensitive requests as role-playing games, poems or pictures, with many swapping tips and ideas online.—
Kevin Schaul,
Washington Post,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
That’s why people continue to write songs about it.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
The musical comedy adventure will feature original songs from Flight of the Conchords actor and writer Bret McKenzie and a script from Martin Hynes, who co-wrote Toy Story 4.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Sarnoski’s film takes its title from one of those ballads, in which Robin Hood — long before there was any Maid Marian to speak of — was a mere yeoman.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
-
Singer Bradley Nowell drunk-steered his band through sordid anthems, crashing through references to classic ska and dancehall songs, shouting out Rudimentary Peni and Geto Boys, and re-setting the murder ballads and drug sprees of outlaw country in suburban California.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The band was nominated for two Grammy awards, first in 1999 for rock or rap gospel album and then in 2000 for best performance by a duo or group with vocals.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
The lyrics are heartfelt and romantic, and paired with Minhyuk’s vocals, evoke a sense of yearning, sincerity, and comfort.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
For centuries, spiritual hymns have kept hope alive, even more so for the enslaved.—
Ukee Washington,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
The videos collectively cover American history from the American Revolution into the early 1970s and includes songs associated with Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Bob Dylan, John Denver and others as well as folk songs, hymns, blues songs and more.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lyrics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyrics. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
