as in licks
the smallest amount or part imaginable
you're not making a syllable of sense
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Recent Examples of syllables
My mother imitates me, then converts the word into a pair of Korean syllables that sound most like the German.
—
Esther Yi, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Popularized by a beer commercial during the 1986 World Cup, it’s used to rally on teams with its repetitive (albeit nonsensical) syllables as well as its upbeat ending.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
After the breakdown plunges into a low-pass filter, the song emerges out the other hand with a fully fledged vocal, lyrics and all—a relatively rarity in Willner’s world of half-syllables and blurred phrases.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 18 May 2026
Just the title, with its three abrupt syllables, becomes the echo of a century’s rattling sabres.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Her lyrics were as interested in the sound of language as the meaning, stretching words like taffy and ping-ponging syllables around.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The method of literacy instruction is often associated with smaller letter sounds, like consonant blends or syllables.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The format is five lines of five, seven, five, seven, seven syllables, for a total of 31 syllables.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
His party’s full name is the Respect and Freedom Party, but it’s known by a portmanteau of the first syllables of those Hungarian words.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Esther Yi, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Popularized by a beer commercial during the 1986 World Cup, it’s used to rally on teams with its repetitive (albeit nonsensical) syllables as well as its upbeat ending.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
After the breakdown plunges into a low-pass filter, the song emerges out the other hand with a fully fledged vocal, lyrics and all—a relatively rarity in Willner’s world of half-syllables and blurred phrases.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 18 May 2026
Just the title, with its three abrupt syllables, becomes the echo of a century’s rattling sabres.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Her lyrics were as interested in the sound of language as the meaning, stretching words like taffy and ping-ponging syllables around.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The method of literacy instruction is often associated with smaller letter sounds, like consonant blends or syllables.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The format is five lines of five, seven, five, seven, seven syllables, for a total of 31 syllables.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
His party’s full name is the Respect and Freedom Party, but it’s known by a portmanteau of the first syllables of those Hungarian words.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for syllables
Noun
-
Zachary Stevenson’s performance replicates the nerdy-yet-hip Texan through impressive guitar licks and superb vocals that are equally comfortable with sweet ballads and on-the-edge rockabilly songs.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
-
Elk, deer, and buffalo had migrated to and from mineral licks throughout North America for millennia.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Their hoots and hollers drowned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s explanation of how a title defense fell short.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Wiseman said to hoots from the crowd of media gathered at the site.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pieces are machine washable — a practical necessity for unavoidable spills and stains in the kitchen — and the cloth bits are made from 100 percent cotton.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
-
Irregular, edges catch oil differently, crisping into jagged, craggly bits while softer interior pockets hold onto dressing, broth, or sauce—the kind of varied texture that makes each bite its own.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
In the last few years, RealYungPhil’s raps have taken on the effect of that friend who always has a life-affirming conversation with you on the porch outside of a house party.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
10 June 2026
-
Released on Sky Rompiendo’s independent imprint, Black Koi Entertainment, the song finds Maluma offering his sultry vocals as Kris R’s raps over the smooth reggaeton beat.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Syllables.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllables. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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