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 Meanwhile, her partner and costar Tom Holland repped his superhero character with a tonal red look including a bright collared shirt and darker jacket. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 July 2026 Every foil placement, every transition, every tonal choice is visible. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 16 July 2026 Perhaps none have explored the possibilities of tossing out tonal borders more dedicatedly than Gloria Coates, born in Wisconsin but living most of her life in Germany until her death, also in 2023 at age 89. — Steve Hochman, SPIN, 15 July 2026 Chloé, Saint Laurent, and Ferragamo showed us how easy tonal dressing can be, pairing separates in the same range of spicy hues. — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 10 July 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
  • Deep ocean recordings blend with orchestral timpani, distant explosions, vibrations and the recorded buzzing of bees.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • Pursuing themes explored on the 2025 orchestral suite La Belleza, Pimienta’s latest release, Caribenya, turns the page to brazenly direct songwriting.
    — Maria Nenet Barrios, Pitchfork, 21 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 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
  • 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
  • While certain songs successfully couple lyrical and musical prowess to arrive at a stirring destination, not every track is quite as ambitious.
    — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
  • In December and January, ZBB swapped sheds for Las Vegas’ Sphere with an eight-show residency that interwove captivating visuals with thoughtful lyrical storytelling.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 16 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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