TONAL Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

tonal

adjective

Definition of tonal

as in harmonic

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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 tonal Designers styled burgundy bags as effortlessly as a black bag, with tonal moments in shades of red and purple (as seen at Celine), contrasted with white, paired with navy and classic neutrals. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 31 July 2026 Battered metal is as crucial to his kit as conventional drum sounds, and even his tonal elements feel as malleable as wrung-out sponges or wet lumps of clay. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026 The Triple White look joins February’s Triple Black as the tonal outliers in Williams’ Jellyfish releases, which have typically featured various pops of color. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 Under Cretton’s direction, the film marks a tonal shift for these Spider-Man movies. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tonal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tonal

Adjective

Each line of counterpoint, each aching harmonic turn, felt like a direct transmission from some higher dimension.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
To protect harmless bugs, pets, and children, the drone analyzes the unique sonar signatures, such as wingbeat frequencies and harmonic structures.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026

Definition of harmonic

Adjective

The sound design — marked by silences, ambient natural sounds such as snowfall and birdsong, the unhurried rhythm of speech, and an original score built on tranquil orchestral elements — amplifies the film’s contemplative tone.

— Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026
But what gave me the most challenges, excitement and joy has always been playing, especially orchestral.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of orchestral

Adjective

Across 17 tracks, guitar riffs curdle into sheets of distortion, melodies dissolve into electronic hiss, and grooves are chronically interrupted by fresh rhythmic detours.

— Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
Just over four years ago in May 2022, 10-year-old Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Sasha Paskal and her mother, Maria, were enjoying some time together in the scenic seaside village of Zatoka in the Odesa region of southwestern Ukraine.

— Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of rhythmic

Adjective

Probably because at the time many of the time signatures and chordal progressions that Miles used were over the head of a young guitar player still functioning in the blues and folk idioms.

— Steve Baltin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Hudson buttressed Al Kooper’s original organ part into a chordal fortress, part of an incendiary performance that surges to peak after peak.

— Jon Pareles, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Definition of chordal

Adjective

The soundtrack—by the frequent Hans Zimmer collaborator David Fleming—is a delight, a polyphonic mood board of ghost-clangs, spooky bassoons, lyrical electro-motifs, and sighing sea themes.

— James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
The exhibition is divided into three parts, with each envisioned as a part of a polyphonic score existing within the larger symphony of Busan itself.

— News Desk, Artforum, 8 July 2026

Definition of polyphonic

Adjective

And an extremely catchy German song has gone viral in part because its lyrical refrain sounds goofy to ears used to English.

— Greg Myre, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
For someone who performs in a mask and had often relied on metaphor to guide his lyrical decisions, his connection with his fans is unusually close.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026

Definition of lyrical

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“Tonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tonal. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tonal

adjective

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