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 Keep things on the tonal side with swirls of black, dark blue, light blue, lavender, and white. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026 Over the course of ten episodes, Patricia transformed into the tonal lynchpin of the series. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 29 June 2026 Moreover, Devonté Hynes’ score, which is both anxious and playful, does the tonal heavy lifting without ever announcing itself, which is something the music branch can discover and appreciate. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 June 2026 The cozy stripes and tonal color palette add personality without taking over a room, while the flatweave style keeps the profile low, clean, and versatile. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tonal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tonal

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

Ys was co-produced by orchestral pop trailblazer Van Dyke Parks and engineered by punk icon Steve Albini, the only time those two prolific legends worked on the same album.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 29 June 2026
John Powell’s score similarly moves through the orchestral traditions of Hollywood’s Golden Age, underscoring set pieces that shift between western, horror and silent-era pastiche.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026

Definition of orchestral

Adjective

But as anyone who has driven down such highways can attest, the rhythmic clack-clack sound of expansion joints built into the pavement can be annoying for motorists.

— Scott Neuman, NPR, 7 July 2026
Her performance, in the small club, transformed the instrument’s traditional image with a performance full of rhythmic complexity, lyrical beauty and improvisation.

— Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 7 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

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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“Tonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tonal. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tonal

adjective

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