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
The album teams with moments like this, bits where the music might evoke a modern homespun permutation of greats like Daryl Hall and John Oates or even Prince, and the lyrics add new wrinkles to classic pop heartbreak.
—
Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026
Over the years, his lyrics haven’t changed much, but the perspective has shifted from observant kid caught in the mix to pushing-30 vet cutting memory tracks on the days when life was a lot simpler.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026
Despite us having just seen the episode where Reid performed this exact song, his vocals felt like they were shot out of a cannon — Reid has an unexpected control and expressiveness to his live singing voice that emphasizes the already theatrical lyrics and melody.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Yes, some of the lyrics are maddeningly sophomoric and emotional, but that’s also a part of the tradition Corgan has spawned.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026
The songs are representative of teams via lyrics, metaphors and just overall vibes.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Disney’s social media accounts did some further rib-nudging over the weekend with tweets paraphrasing Swift lyrics as captions for the billboard images, some of which featured the character Jessie.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 1 June 2026
Hennessy is a mainstay in hip hop, with its name used in the lyrics of more than 4,000 tracks and has a strong footprint in sports.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
Now the musical stage adaptation — with a book by Batra, music by Daniel and Patrick Lazour, aka The Lazours, and lyrics by Batra and The Lazours — is getting its grand introduction at Berkeley, at a time when its story about a heartwarming human connection could not be more relevant.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026
Over the years, his lyrics haven’t changed much, but the perspective has shifted from observant kid caught in the mix to pushing-30 vet cutting memory tracks on the days when life was a lot simpler.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026
Despite us having just seen the episode where Reid performed this exact song, his vocals felt like they were shot out of a cannon — Reid has an unexpected control and expressiveness to his live singing voice that emphasizes the already theatrical lyrics and melody.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Yes, some of the lyrics are maddeningly sophomoric and emotional, but that’s also a part of the tradition Corgan has spawned.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026
The songs are representative of teams via lyrics, metaphors and just overall vibes.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Disney’s social media accounts did some further rib-nudging over the weekend with tweets paraphrasing Swift lyrics as captions for the billboard images, some of which featured the character Jessie.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 1 June 2026
Hennessy is a mainstay in hip hop, with its name used in the lyrics of more than 4,000 tracks and has a strong footprint in sports.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
Now the musical stage adaptation — with a book by Batra, music by Daniel and Patrick Lazour, aka The Lazours, and lyrics by Batra and The Lazours — is getting its grand introduction at Berkeley, at a time when its story about a heartwarming human connection could not be more relevant.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyrics
Noun
-
This collection of poems—Orr’s thirteenth—bears bitter witness to environmental degradation, moral corruption, and the aging of a body and of a generation, all viewed from a bird’s eye, wrapped in the language and tone of myth.—
Craig Morgan Teicher,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
But in Soni’s careful translation, the repetitions and subtle variation of Verma’s poems also achieve a haunting, transcendental resonance.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The show is still using some of those songs, giving the score’s relationship to the script a half-in, half-out near-jukebox feeling.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
-
Maya, like Bassichis, did an act that was a bit standup, a bit performance art, broken up by dreamy, oddball songs.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The entertainment could be a little racier than being serenaded by a trio singing Greek power ballads at dinnertime.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
In the heart of the capital Praia, a city of under 200,000 residents, singers belt out morna ballads from restaurants — morna being Cape Verde's traditional music, with African and Portuguese influences.—
Ricci Shryock,
NPR,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The subtle backing vocals are Beatles-esque, too.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
And obviously, the massive vocals in the chorus.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The service of hymns and prayer will be followed by a memorial roll call of members of the armed services who died in active duty.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
-
The result, a collaboration with Joseph Shirley — whose composer credits include The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Creed III — is a beautiful, winding soundtrack that weaves between whistling, clapping Americana, gospel-like hymns and spiritual delta blues.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lyrics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyrics. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
