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 The soundtrack—by the frequent Hans Zimmer collaborator David Fleming—is a delight, a polyphonic mood board of ghost-clangs, spooky bassoons, lyrical electro-motifs, and sighing sea themes. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 The exhibition is divided into three parts, with each envisioned as a part of a polyphonic score existing within the larger symphony of Busan itself. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 July 2026 As a consequence of its sheer polyphonic complexity, Moby-Dick thwarts simple interpretation. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 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 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
  • In this grid, the revealer is at 57-Across, clued with [Hides one’s central point, in a way … with a doubly homophonic hint to 20-, 30-, 38- and 48-Across].
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • My introduction to homophonic translation came from my former teacher, Mónica de la Torre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Jan. 2026
Definition of homophonic
Adjective
  • The Lynn Philharmonia, under the direction of Maestro Jon Robertson, presents inaugural pops concert gala featuring some of America’s most iconic orchestral music.
    — Mike Hamersly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The band is reaching further beyond its guitar-rock foundations, pushing deeper into electronic moodiness and orchestral sweep in songs that feel more designed than banged out.
    — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of orchestral
Adjective
  • Sorkin writes very rhythmic dialogue that is meant to be delivered note-perfect down to the comma.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Heat, gentle pressure and rhythmic massage can simply feel good, whether your neck is bothering you or not.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rhythmic
Adjective
  • But their fervor ironically winds up being counterproductive, yielding a jumbled tonal mess that feels deadly serious one moment and like parody the next.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In the process, American comedy went from being a writer’s medium, conceptual and self-aware, to a more tonal form that rewarded actors’ screen presence and sense of timing.
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 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
  • The protagonist, Mi-ja, is an older woman who starts to write lyric poetry.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • And so lyric arrives, unbridled by the laws of grammar, pressing its hooves to the measure of music.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of lyric

Browse Nearby Words

polyp
polyphonic
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Cite this Entry

“Polyphonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polyphonic. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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