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 However, the Boom Air delivered much more natural-looking tonal variations at smaller sizes. — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026 While a tonal beige outfit could read a bit formal, a baseball cap and simple sandals add a layer of casual cool. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026 To take your tonal look a step further, Sharkey advises going monochromatic from head to toe with a cardigan, satin pants, and ballet flats in similar colors. — Brooke Knappenberger, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 Here, the designer grounded the tonal palette with warm fall florals, a cream table runner, and cozy candlelight. — Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 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
  • But at times, the caliber of their technical and harmonic choices sounds arty and sophisticated.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Mehldau takes special care to retain Smith’s idiosyncratic chord structures, accentuating his sublime harmonic feel.
    — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of harmonic
Adjective
  • As on the age-old original, the first half of the six-minute track was sweeping in its use of orchestral augmentation, and then the second half put aside both strings and vocals to turn into a pure band jam.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This kind of orchestral pain—built up over years, mirrored back and forth between the characters, approached slant and head on at once—is where the Buffyverse is at its best.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of orchestral
Adjective
  • The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In the clip, Lee expertly beats on a bongo while Limbani responds with eager rhythmic dancing.
    — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 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
  • Georgia is culturally alive and vibrant—polyphonic singing seen and heard through swirling traditional dances, finally, felt through ancient cobblestones underfoot.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Borges may not be able to see the scenery, but delights in every scrap of local color, to a degree that the American — tasked with describing everything to his elder, in suitably lyrical terms — finds quite wearisome.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Angus Young has repeated in interviews over the years that all this imagery and lyrical content about hell and the devil was pure tongue-in-cheek theatrics and nothing more.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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