monosyllable

Definition of monosyllablenext
as in expression
a lexical item that has only one syllable He answered all their questions with monosyllables like "yes" and "no."

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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 monosyllable Hearing this jab of monosyllables is like being poked in the eye. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2023 But where the two Stegosaurus brothers speak in Jurassic monosyllables, Stegothesaurus has the gift of a bountiful vocabulary. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 22 June 2018 Original writer Derek Kolstad and director Chad Stahelski have returned for the sequel, alongside the taciturn Reeves, who brews up more of his Wickian magic while speaking infrequently and mostly in monosyllables. — Katie Walsh, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monosyllable
Noun
  • Macho Cowboy At the top of the pinnacle of power within the telenovela structure is the macho cowboy whose high emotional expressions of jealousy, anger, and confrontation are accepted as passionate acts of strength or romantic gestures.
    — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For Summer Nacewicz, Alo’s executive vice president of marketing and creative, the store will become a full expression of the brand’s belief in how Alo wants to redefine luxury.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • As Kamphoff repeated these phrases during her race, her pace picked up.
    — Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Georgia fans responded with articles from 2003 showing that former head coach Mark Richt used the phrase early in his tenure, creating a good old fashioned social media standoff.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Furnari recalled that some of the song’s early music and lyrics came together quickly, but writing words that could do justice to their experience was another matter.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Bad word set in not just here but around the world, a 180 to the vibrant critical reaction and audience reception on One Battle After Another (94% certified fresh, A CinemaScore).
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Important, too, was the morpheme a-, which referred to the mouth and, more broadly, to origins.
    — Anvita Abbi, Scientific American, 16 May 2023
  • Those words are made up of morphemes, small elements that change their meaning depending on how they are combined.
    — Ian Austen, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Apr. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Monosyllable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monosyllable. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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