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
Two words, two syllables; one from earth, the other of heaven.
—
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
The name can be pronounced with two syllables (/ˈkwɑːwɑːr/) or three (/ˈkwɑːoʊ(w)ɑːr/).
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Pärt often lets the number of syllables in a word, the length of a phrase or verse, and the sound of a language shape his formulas.
—Jeffers Engelhardt, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
Its name pulls from the first syllables of each founder’s first name, while its design language centers on sleek minimalism and modern sensuality.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Sometimes the syllables would be kind of off.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
The name can be pronounced with two syllables (/ˈkwɑːwɑːr/) or three (/ˈkwɑːoʊ(w)ɑːr/).
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Pärt often lets the number of syllables in a word, the length of a phrase or verse, and the sound of a language shape his formulas.
—Jeffers Engelhardt, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
Its name pulls from the first syllables of each founder’s first name, while its design language centers on sleek minimalism and modern sensuality.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Sometimes the syllables would be kind of off.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for syllables
Noun
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Kershaw was on the winning end more often than not, but that didn’t mean the Giants didn’t also get in their licks.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
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From bouncy dancehall riddims and hip-hop production inflections to tender country and western guitar licks, Treasure Self Love distills Iké’s wide range of childhood music into a succinct 11-track study of achieving wholeness by unflinchingly examining the darkest parts of your past.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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All the segments understand the assignment, aiming primarily to elicit hoots and hollers.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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The town hall crowd received my comments with strong clapping and appreciative hoots and hollers.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Tutu Atwell’s role is perplexing Every fan base has some trademark bits.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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The new Galactic Brownie flavor combines brownie batter ice cream, gooey brownie bits, creamy chocolate icing swirls, and rainbow chips that dazzle like the stars in the Milky Way.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Syllables.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllables. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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