tonal

adjective

Definition of tonalnext
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 Users can store up to five profiles on the physical device, including different headphone calibrations and custom tonal curves. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 To avoid a flat, monotone look, play with color and create tonal contrast. — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026 Poopsie’s smile was the beat of visual humor that gave the bit the tonal shift that was missing from its initial narrative construction. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 2 July 2026 Keep things on the tonal side with swirls of black, dark blue, light blue, lavender, and white. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tonal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tonal
  1. harmonic
  2. orchestral
  3. rhythmic
  4. chordal
  5. polyphonic
  6. homophonic
  7. lyrical
Adjective
  • These filings offer no melodic details, nothing rhythmic, nothing harmonic or structural.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 6 July 2026
  • The rhythmic pulse of hand clapping, accompanied by the resounding harmonic messages through voice.
    — Ukee Washington, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of harmonic
Adjective
  • While working with composer Nicholas Britell on Andor and Michael Giacchino on Rogue One, Gilroy was struck by the orchestral landscape that surrounded them.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • David Baerwald is an American songwriter, composer, lyricist, and novelist, whose work has spanned 1970s punk rock, award-winning solo recordings, Grammy-winning mega-hits, orchestral film music, and literary fiction.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of orchestral
Adjective
  • The microphones pick up the rhythmic thwack of leather on leather as Zizou executes a series of short passes with teammates.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026
  • There is the rhythmic, at times monotonous pattern of the minor-league baseball season.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 10 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 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
  • As a consequence of its sheer polyphonic complexity, Moby-Dick thwarts simple interpretation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of polyphonic
Adjective
  • My introduction to homophonic translation came from my former teacher, Mónica de la Torre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Jan. 2026
  • How does this make any sense except as a very stupid, clumsy, idiotic no good way to give us a homophonic bridge to Gandalf.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of homophonic
Adjective
  • Hers is a voice that ought to have a lifetime’s staying power, bolstered by a lyrical and musical sensibility that provide everything her instrument needs to deliver a happy succession of knockout blows.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 3 July 2026
  • The Brooklyn neighborhood where, if Swiftie lyrical interpretations are to be trusted, Swift left a now-infamous scarf at the home of one Maggie Gyllenhaal around 2010.
    — Lily Boyce, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of lyrical

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Cite this Entry

“Tonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tonal. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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