songs

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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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 songs But the biggest legacy Parton leaves is her songwriting, and three songs define her more than any others. — Wendy Hargreaves, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 Video showed locals draped in Spanish flags, shouting anti-migrant slogans, and singing Spanish songs, torching the camp and throwing migrants’ belongings in the Mediterranean or into bonfires. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026 And around the world, people are streaming her songs en masse. — Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The brains that go into these songs, the passion and purpose. — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 28 Aug. 2026 The 59 year old recovered well and kept singing, before stretching between songs. — David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026 During what was billed as his only live performance of the summer, John Mayer paid tribute to Dolly Parton by integrating one of her most iconic songs into his encore. — Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Others, including Jack White, Harry Styles, and John Mayer, performed her songs or acknowledged her loss at their concerts. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026 Both of those songs became number-one country hits, in ’73 and ’74, respectively, and Dolly, Porter Wagoner’s girl singer no more, became America’s rhinestone superstar. — David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for songs
  1. ballads
  2. poems
  3. melodies
  4. lyrics
  5. tunes
  6. hymns
  7. vocals
  8. jingles
Noun
  • Her mother, Avie Lee Parton, ran the household and was fond of singing traditional Appalachian ballads.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The result is a self-reflective collection of empowering pop anthems and wistful ballads that detail not only the dissolution of a relationship but a return to oneself.
    — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ballads
Noun
  • The poet Jack Spicer wrote that poems cannot live alone any more than people can.
    — Geoffrey O’Brien, The New York Review of Books, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Each program explores specific themes by weaving a variety of stories, poems, and sometimes music together.
    — Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of poems
Noun
  • The beats are over the top, the writing is bold and direct, and Stephens is an alluring main character with a sharp tongue and an ear for dynamic pop and R&B melodies.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Entertainment features include 15 classic melodies, and there is a mobile with three soft toys.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of melodies
Noun
  • Thompson will be joined by singer-songwriter Gary Clark, providing the music, with original lyrics by both her and Clark.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • His creative, direct lyrics and distinctive performance style serve as powerful assets in his bid to win over the public.
    — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lyrics
Noun
  • The album paired the songwriter’s tunes with some of the female artists who had been influenced by her and also included appearances from Sinead O’Connor, Shelby Lynne, Norah Jones, Mindy Smith and more.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Any songwriter should be so lucky — to have one of your hallmark tunes be lovingly swept out from under you and become one of the definitive ballads of pop music.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of tunes
Noun
  • Little Haiti looks ahead On a humid morning in Little Haiti, about a dozen people walked into Notre Dame d’Haiti Catholic Church for Mass, taking Communion and singing hymns in French.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Faithful gather to sing hymns and sip Bloody Marys, and a revolving cast of chaplains, including one who once served at the University of Texas chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, lead services.
    — Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Definition of hymns
Noun
  • Iglesias’s rico suave, international-playboy crooning style found its perfect counterpart in Parton’s fiery vocals.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With his raspy and raw vocals, the young talent sings about his real-life experiences in search of an organic connection with his community.
    — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocals
Noun
  • Our heroine, Allie (Monica Barbaro), is a singer who records commercial jingles for products that treat acne and vaginal dryness (presumably less of a problem, given the current non-state of affairs).
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Aronow started out as a performer herself, her childhood spent singing popular jingles for Hasbro and Kidz Bop.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of jingles

Browse Nearby Words

songlike
songs
songsmith
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Cite this Entry

“Songs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/songs. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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