song

noun

ˈsȯŋ How to pronounce song (audio)
Definition of songnext
1
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment she sang a little-known song for the talent show

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2
as in poem
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect the songs of Shakespeare

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3
as in melody
a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect whistle a song as accompaniment to your work

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4
as in dime
a very small sum of money developers bought the land for a song

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in poetry
writing that uses rhythm, vivid language, and often rhyme to provoke an emotional response a hero honored in song and story

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 song Many songs here invert the notion of a ghost in the machine; Shy assumes the role of the femmebot on the fritz, while the productions—overseen by Karma Kid and Casey MQ—are like the contents of a fertile petri dish. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 11 Nov. 2026 That’s actually a very important song in entertainment history. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026 The song opens with a gentle, traditional guitar, setting an intimate atmosphere that draws the listener in. — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for song
Recent Examples of Synonyms for song
  1. ballad
  2. poem
  3. melody
  4. dime
  5. poetry
  6. lyric
  7. hymn
  8. anthem
Noun
  • The bouncy salsa tunes — as well as the melodic ballads — are still playing in my internal playlist.
    — George Diaz, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • An old-soul, Jiménez’s music is rooted in Latin ballads backed by real-life and personal storytelling.
    — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of ballad
Noun
  • Its significance is closely linked to In Flanders Fields, the First World War poem written by Canadian military physician John McCrae after witnessing the devastation of fighting in Belgium.
    — Rich Percival, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The film, based — rather loosely — on Homer’s epic poem, released this summer and was met with mostly comic derision and a flurry of one-star reviews.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of poem
Noun
  • On the album’s title track, the vocals purr with digital texture as an off-kilter guitar melody spirals upwards, as if bubbling up from the bottom of a pool.
    — Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Her melody allows a congregation to express concern together, even when worshippers understand prayer differently.
    — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of melody
Noun
  • On Brooklyn’s next trip, Sharpe threw a dime and Randle buried a 25-footer.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Apparently, the pop singer, who had recently been living in the Miami area to record a new album, didn’t get a dime.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of dime
Noun
  • Her language catapults from savvy banter to wild-eyed expressionist poetry, dripping purple across the stage.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • An extra hour to chill at home would’ve been nice, but Frost’s poetry wasn’t especially dense.
    — Alana Kaufman, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of poetry
Noun
  • This is a musical in a very mainstream pop mode of supple but almost juvenile high voices singing banal lyrics to catchy melodies with rather bombastic production.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Even beyond lyrics, the sheer tone of a voice can communicate emotion so differently.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of lyric
Noun
  • Nothing more than a reminder that the quotidian world around us can be a hymn all by itself.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • At the conclusion of an English-language service interspersed with hymns in Arabic, the priest introduced Salazar, who stood up in the front row, smiling and waving.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of hymn
Noun
  • Sincerity, stability, domesticity—those are harder sells for fans expecting quotable and clippable baddie anthems, which might make SWALLOW!
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Few people had a bigger or busier 2026 than Shakira, and her and Burna Boy’s official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem dominated the year, spending seven non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Global 200.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of anthem

Phrases Containing song

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sonant
song
song and dance
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Cite this Entry

“Song.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/song. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on song

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about song

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