as in licks
the smallest amount or part imaginable
you're not making a syllable of sense
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of syllables
The rhythm of a sentence will accommodate a certain number of syllables.
—
Literary Hub, 22 Dec. 2025
Those with the speech impediment can repeat sounds or syllables, make longer sounds, or get stuck on a word or sound.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
For the monks or clerics, it is presented as a material substance, carried like a sack of gold on the demon’s back; the metaphors used are monetary or economic, as though the monks owe ordered syllables to God instead of the monetary tithe their vows of poverty render unnecessary.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Their brains had a smaller N1 response when inner and outer syllables matched (the inner SIS effect).
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
Such a marvelous collection of syllables.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
So far, the researchers have transcribed about 50 hours of barks into syllables.
—Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Master Chorale uttered nonverbal syllables, yet the message was somehow clear.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The name can be pronounced with two syllables (/ˈkwɑːwɑːr/) or three (/ˈkwɑːoʊ(w)ɑːr/).
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 22 Dec. 2025
Those with the speech impediment can repeat sounds or syllables, make longer sounds, or get stuck on a word or sound.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
For the monks or clerics, it is presented as a material substance, carried like a sack of gold on the demon’s back; the metaphors used are monetary or economic, as though the monks owe ordered syllables to God instead of the monetary tithe their vows of poverty render unnecessary.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Their brains had a smaller N1 response when inner and outer syllables matched (the inner SIS effect).
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
Such a marvelous collection of syllables.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
So far, the researchers have transcribed about 50 hours of barks into syllables.
—Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Master Chorale uttered nonverbal syllables, yet the message was somehow clear.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The name can be pronounced with two syllables (/ˈkwɑːwɑːr/) or three (/ˈkwɑːoʊ(w)ɑːr/).
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for syllables
Noun
-
The guitarist, songwriter and record producer was not known for flashy playing, but his spare, catchy licks and solid rhythm chops helped define Memphis soul music.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
4 Dec. 2025
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Sean Kaufman and Christopher Briney locked licks on the Jumbotron.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Cowboy and cowgirl hoots and hollers complement the rumbling of the massive animals’ hooves as they’re rounded up into the corrals.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Dec. 2025
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There are hoots and hollers from raucous tourists on Bourbon Street, for example.—
Matt Alderton,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beyond the gong, other bits of prop comedy give them cover to dive into more controversial topics.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The live show — featuring a famed blue-skinned, apparently bald and mostly silent trio — will feature classic Blue Man Group routines plus new bits that will be exclusive to the Orlando production.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Nas is no stranger to flex raps, but his blockchain bars have the hollow ring of a timeshare sales pitch.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
8 Jan. 2026
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And yet, Doja continuously taps the well while adapting it to her own aesthetic, moving fluidly between sweet harmonies and nimble raps in classic Doja form.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Syllables.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllables. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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