polyphonic

adjective

variants or polyphonous
Definition of polyphonicnext
as in harmonic

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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 polyphonic All operatic singing, especially the polyphonic (multipart) style known as bel canto, requires tremendous breath control and vocal skill. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 The attempts by the current administration to whitewash or erase certain aspects of American history, especially the horrors of slavery, are powerfully countered by the novel’s investigation of America’s origins and its polyphonic voices. — Time, 12 May 2026 The choral elements on the record shine most vividly on the title track, which features polyphonic swells of voices humming melodies, overtaking the piano, dropping and then rising again. — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026 Women who worked in shops sang together in bellowing, polyphonic unison. — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 21 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polyphonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polyphonic
  1. harmonic
  2. homophonic
  3. orchestral
  4. rhythmic
  5. tonal
  6. chordal
  7. songful
  8. lyric
Adjective
  • But at times, the caliber of their technical and harmonic choices sounds arty and sophisticated.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Mehldau takes special care to retain Smith’s idiosyncratic chord structures, accentuating his sublime harmonic feel.
    — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of harmonic
Adjective
  • My introduction to homophonic translation came from my former teacher, Mónica de la Torre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Jan. 2026
  • How does this make any sense except as a very stupid, clumsy, idiotic no good way to give us a homophonic bridge to Gandalf.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of homophonic
Adjective
  • The live-to-film concert will present an orchestral performance of the score from John Powell and Stephen Schwartz, who also helmed music and lyrics.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This one resembles the winsome, acoustic Sea Change (2002) and Morning Phase (2014), dressing the shape-shifting troubadour’s reflective vocals in windswept orchestral-folk adornment.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of orchestral
Adjective
  • Karrahboooo’s flow, kind of like Veeze or Lucki, manages to feel both laid back and conversational and deeply and intricately rhythmic, an almost enchanting combination made more potent by Karrahbooo’s almost dance-leaning sense of melody.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The researchers, who reported their findings in PLOS Biology, also screened 124 recordings from the vast wildlife sound archive xeno-canto and identified 50 species with regular rhythmic signals.
    — Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of rhythmic
Adjective
  • In no particular order, Elsinore darts in and out of various phases of Charleson’s life during this period, but Stone manages the tonal balance expertly.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to the thong sandal straps on the vamp, the shoes also feature a slim slingback strap that wraps around the heel and is fastened by a small tonal buckle.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of tonal
Adjective
  • Probably because at the time many of the time signatures and chordal progressions that Miles used were over the head of a young guitar player still functioning in the blues and folk idioms.
    — Steve Baltin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
  • Hudson buttressed Al Kooper’s original organ part into a chordal fortress, part of an incendiary performance that surges to peak after peak.
    — Jon Pareles, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Definition of chordal
Adjective
  • Bach was lively, supple, and, especially in the Larghetto, generous in its songful musicality.
    — Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Sep. 2022
  • In the early going, some tender yet mystic motifs suggest the songful chromaticism of Olivier Messiaen.
    — Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2022
Definition of songful
Adjective
  • Entertainment Weekly reached out to Grande’s reps for comment at the time of the initial lyric changes.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Madonna asked the crowd — before the studio version rolled out in the days that followed, complete with lyric videos featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the Amsterdam event.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lyric

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Cite this Entry

“Polyphonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polyphonic. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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