as in orchestra
a usually large group of musicians playing together
served as a conductor for the philharmonic
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Recent Examples of philharmonic
But the orchestra couldn’t afford to continue playing there, and the philharmonic moved to cheaper accommodations at nearby First Baptist Church and ultimately the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
—
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 17 Feb. 2026
Gabe is an active member of the symphonic band, Green Hill philharmonic winds, the Green Hill brass quintet and the Spirit of Green Hill Marching Band, leading by example through hard work and dedication.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Back in New York their evenings were spent at the ballet, the philharmonic, the opera.
—Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
The philharmonic then contracted with Tracey Levy of Levy Employment Law to conduct an independent second investigation.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024
Advertisement Under the orchestra’s labor contract, the philharmonic must give notice of a non-reengagement by the Feb. 15 prior to the season in question.
—Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
An emotional high point was the film’s six-minute segment of Cooper at England’s Ely Cathedral conducting the finale of Mahler’s Second Symphony — a work Bernstein led 19 times at Lincoln Center from 1963-89, including his 1,000th performance with the philharmonic in 1971.
—Ronald Blum, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2024
It is set to be the largest venue of its kind in both Africa and the Arab world and will host symphony, ballet, opera, and philharmonic performances (all of the above are anticipated before 2023 comes to a close).
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023
The director of the city’s philharmonic was killed and the local theater director briefly detained.
—Ian Lovett, WSJ, 4 Dec. 2022
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 17 Feb. 2026
Gabe is an active member of the symphonic band, Green Hill philharmonic winds, the Green Hill brass quintet and the Spirit of Green Hill Marching Band, leading by example through hard work and dedication.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Back in New York their evenings were spent at the ballet, the philharmonic, the opera.
—Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
The philharmonic then contracted with Tracey Levy of Levy Employment Law to conduct an independent second investigation.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024
Advertisement Under the orchestra’s labor contract, the philharmonic must give notice of a non-reengagement by the Feb. 15 prior to the season in question.
—Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
An emotional high point was the film’s six-minute segment of Cooper at England’s Ely Cathedral conducting the finale of Mahler’s Second Symphony — a work Bernstein led 19 times at Lincoln Center from 1963-89, including his 1,000th performance with the philharmonic in 1971.
—Ronald Blum, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2024
It is set to be the largest venue of its kind in both Africa and the Arab world and will host symphony, ballet, opera, and philharmonic performances (all of the above are anticipated before 2023 comes to a close).
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023
The director of the city’s philharmonic was killed and the local theater director briefly detained.
—Ian Lovett, WSJ, 4 Dec. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philharmonic
Noun
-
And the composer’s friend and champion Susanna Mälkki conducts a superb cast and nimble orchestra, making all the complexity crystalline.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
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As fans stood for the opening run, a sprawling 23-piece backing ensemble — including six band members, eight backing vocalists plus returning Church muse Joanna Cotten, and a mini-orchestra with four horns and four strings — some swayed.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At least two symphonies are performing in Hartford and Bridgeport.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Charlie, although more sympathetic, is left reeling, and Pattinson, always at his best when his matinée-idol looks surrender to warpings of fear and anxiety, conducts a virtuosic symphony of shifting moods.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Philharmonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philharmonic. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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