as in orchestras
a usually large group of musicians playing together
a performance of a Bach concerto by the San Antonio Symphony
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of symphonies
Aside from symphonies by Brahms, Beethoven, Prokofiev and Wagner in the Classical Series, the Film + Live Orchestra Series will present tributes to music legends like Jimmy Buffett and Whitney Houston.
—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
february 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
But the symphonies’ start-and-stop contrasts and obsessive rhythmic gestures challenge the conductor to manage the ebb and flow of energy within overarching structures.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
Fifty years ago, that meant Stevie Wonder embracing the synthesizer, a machine critics at the time called soulless, to compose symphonies from a keyboard.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Primo left the seams showing on his best beats, deftly combining chunky sample chops and simple, swinging, heavy-bag drums into herky-jerky, screw-face symphonies.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
The Cailloux Theater has an ever-changing schedule of performances that include orchestras, symphonies, plays, and musicals, and the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center showcases works from regional and national artists and offers art classes for all ages.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025
There are dings from streetcars on Canal Street, chimes from slot machines at Caesars New Orleans Hotel & Casino, and celebratory symphonies from innumerable trumpets on countless stages and streetcorners.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Waking up to the dawn chorus of birds—one of the natural world’s greatest symphonies—is a joy like no other.
—JSTOR Daily, 10 Oct. 2025
America was, however, mad for symphonies, the more heroic the better, and Martinů found his way into the form.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
february 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
But the symphonies’ start-and-stop contrasts and obsessive rhythmic gestures challenge the conductor to manage the ebb and flow of energy within overarching structures.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
Fifty years ago, that meant Stevie Wonder embracing the synthesizer, a machine critics at the time called soulless, to compose symphonies from a keyboard.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Primo left the seams showing on his best beats, deftly combining chunky sample chops and simple, swinging, heavy-bag drums into herky-jerky, screw-face symphonies.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
The Cailloux Theater has an ever-changing schedule of performances that include orchestras, symphonies, plays, and musicals, and the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center showcases works from regional and national artists and offers art classes for all ages.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025
There are dings from streetcars on Canal Street, chimes from slot machines at Caesars New Orleans Hotel & Casino, and celebratory symphonies from innumerable trumpets on countless stages and streetcorners.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Waking up to the dawn chorus of birds—one of the natural world’s greatest symphonies—is a joy like no other.
—JSTOR Daily, 10 Oct. 2025
America was, however, mad for symphonies, the more heroic the better, and Martinů found his way into the form.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symphonies
orchestras
Noun
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Lewis is the recipient of a 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant and has appeared with orchestras across the United States and Europe.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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He's shared the stage with some of the world's most popular orchestras and artists, including Metallica and Pharrell Williams.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symphonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symphonies. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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