1
as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a little-known song for the talent show
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in poems
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect
the songs of Shakespeare
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in poetries
writing that uses rhythm, vivid language, and often rhyme to provoke an emotional response
a hero honored in song and story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of songs
Lopez often changed the familiar pop arrangements of her songs to fit a moody, zesty energy.
—
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Demonstrators waved flags, chanted slogans, and sang songs in support of Iranians facing a violent government crackdown.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
As the voice of Rumi, Ejae performed the lead vocals of all the songs for HUNTR/X, the movie's fictional k-pop girl group that moonlights as demon hunters who protect the world from soul-sucking monsters.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Things got especially unhinged when the songs referenced a presenter's literal name.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
More than in most years, in 2025 there was a bumper crop of songs that did just that.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of some of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2026
The event featured a catered lunch of crispy hush puppies, catfish, smoked chicken and more – with Mississippi Sherin Sauce on the table, while Azar and others told stories between songs.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Since Jones was the guy who wrote the actual songs, this might have been a danger sign.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Demonstrators waved flags, chanted slogans, and sang songs in support of Iranians facing a violent government crackdown.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
As the voice of Rumi, Ejae performed the lead vocals of all the songs for HUNTR/X, the movie's fictional k-pop girl group that moonlights as demon hunters who protect the world from soul-sucking monsters.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Things got especially unhinged when the songs referenced a presenter's literal name.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
More than in most years, in 2025 there was a bumper crop of songs that did just that.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of some of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2026
The event featured a catered lunch of crispy hush puppies, catfish, smoked chicken and more – with Mississippi Sherin Sauce on the table, while Azar and others told stories between songs.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Since Jones was the guy who wrote the actual songs, this might have been a danger sign.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for songs
Noun
-
The threadbare ballads from ’90s indie rock records that could have been breakthrough hits if presented in slightly cleaner fidelity.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
-
These events will spotlight traditional musical practices, from Appalachian ballads to gospel choirs, and will feature key composers, musicians, and producers from North Carolina.—
Virginia Brown,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The whimsical term has also been the title of countless poems, songs and books about remarkable coincidences or eureka moments.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In addition to sharing poems that reminded him of Murphy, LaChappelle posted a lengthy caption with his own musings.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to her iconic quippy lyrics and catchy melodies, Taylor Swift is an expert on winter fashion.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
27 Dec. 2025
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The 15-track project finds the cousins fully leaning into their corridos foundation, trading verses and melodies in their signature raspy delivery — but also tapping into elevated production and angelic choir arrangements between songs.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Ejae, who wrote the lyrics and provided the singing voice for the film's character Rumi, accepted the award.—
Aliza Chasan,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Contemplating passing seasons and dead flowers, Weir’s deep, lava lamp-like flow of a vocal is as sadly ruminative as Barlow’s lyrics.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Place your order before the start of the concert, dine in, then cap it off with dessert and a performance — in this case, a smorgasbord of Irish fiddle tunes, spirituals and even some early jazz.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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The performances will include classic tunes, sing-alongs and feel-good favorites.—
Ramona Sentinel,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Most candlelight services include familiar Christmas hymns, a short message about the birth of Jesus, and a moment of reflection as the lights dim and candles are passed.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Dec. 2025
-
The film demands plenty of its cast, including singing, dancing and getting caught in rapture, set to an unconventional soundtrack based on Shaker hymns by Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg.—
William Earl,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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This blend of styles is not only about presenting contrasts—clean versus shouted vocals, melodic versus dissonant riffs, headbanging versus moshing—but also preserving the murky in-between that only elevates the extreme.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
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The friends are Edmar Colon on saxophone, Jiri Nedoma on piano and Devon Gates on bass and vocals.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Today's kids can't even sing the jingles.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Manilow has produced, composed, and performed some of the most iconic commercial jingles of all time for companies and brands such as State Farm, Band-Aid, KFC, Pepsi and McDonald’s.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Songs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/songs. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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