spirituals

plural of spiritual

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of spirituals Delta musicians also often used call-and-response patterns, which were common in African music and were used in other blues styles and in African American sacred music, including spirituals. René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 Over his career, Sykes performed in venues around the world and across genres — opera, gospel, spirituals, show tunes, folk and pop — working with figures including Renée Fleming, Terence Blanchard, Carlos Santana, Julie Andrews and Brian Wilson. Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 This vibrant, free afternoon concert will feature a rich selection of beloved American choral favorites, including rousing gospel selections, powerful spirituals, and timeless classics that resonate across generations, a news release stated. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026 The music is eclectic and includes sounds associated with Islam as well as bluegrass, hymns and spirituals. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026 At Merkin Hall, Chanticleer rings in the semiquincentennial with a new work by Trevor Weston, which spotlights the legacy of African American spirituals. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026 As iconic church songs that have crossed over into secular spirituals, they were written to be memorable and singable, crowd-tested for at least a couple of generations. David W. Stowe, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026 With elements of jazz, gospel and spirituals incorporated into the music, the song was a British homage to Black American music traditions. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026 America’s long struggle against racial segregation was accompanied by a righteous soundtrack of spirituals and gospel and soul music, anthems that channeled sanctified fervor into the fight for equality. Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirituals
Noun
  • 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
  • One of six children, Tyler grew up idolizing Tina Turner and Janis Joplin and singing hymns in the Anglican church her parents attended.
    Adela Suliman, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • His songs spanned from party anthems to deep social commentary.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Meshell Ndegeocello is taking one of the Eighties’ frostiest break-up pop anthems somewhere much warmer.
    Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Because the psalms were originally accompanied by instruments, scholars’ best guess is that selah was some sort of musical marking.
    Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • Take The Music Lesson, a study of a young woman playing the virginal, closely watched by a gentleman, which Graham-Dixon reads as a depiction of Collegiants chastely performing and singing psalms.
    Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spirituals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirituals. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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