as in hymns
a religious song
sang a spiritual at the funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 spirituals
The event features a community sing-along of American spirituals, folk songs and bluegrass favorites, hosted by conductor and composer John Yankee with musicians from the San Diego Bluegrass Society, Mission Bay High School and PB Community Choir.
—
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Quijada and Robinson developed the show through work on a concept album presented in 2021, and their music, ranging from hip-hop to Cuban bolero to spirituals, carries the piece along with their own charisma as performers.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
The work, which King has described as a meditation on love, resilience and inner-strength, is set to Black spirituals and Jewish liturgical music, features vocals by the great singer Lisa Fischer and a score by piano great Jason Moran, artists with whom the collab-happy King has worked before.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Quijada and Robinson developed the show through work on a concept album presented in 2021, and their music, ranging from hip-hop to Cuban bolero to spirituals, carries the piece along with their own charisma as performers.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
The work, which King has described as a meditation on love, resilience and inner-strength, is set to Black spirituals and Jewish liturgical music, features vocals by the great singer Lisa Fischer and a score by piano great Jason Moran, artists with whom the collab-happy King has worked before.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirituals
Noun
-
This climax is steeped in ancient psalms and hymns but also the neat, museumlike minimalism of pop-culture descendants like Ye’s Sunday Service Choir operas.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Tutivillus, who totted up all the mistakes clergymen made when singing hymns or reciting psalms.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The legendary Public Enemy rapper and dating show debutante served as the guest judge on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, in which the eight remaining couples hit the floor with head-banging routines set to a litany of iconic anthems.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The group known for their elaborate, glittery costumes, character makeup and bombastic rock anthems released some of its most successful albums during Frehley’s tenure, including 1977’s Love Gun and Alive II, both of which charted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This climax is steeped in ancient psalms and hymns but also the neat, museumlike minimalism of pop-culture descendants like Ye’s Sunday Service Choir operas.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Tutivillus, who totted up all the mistakes clergymen made when singing hymns or reciting psalms.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spirituals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirituals. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share