trilling 1 of 2

Definition of trillingnext

trilling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of trill
as in quavering
to sing with the alternation of two musical tones a bluebird trilled outside our window

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 trilling
Verb
Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm Campground This trail almost entirely follows the coast for 7 miles, with a soundtrack of lapping waves, trilling loons, and the occasional outboard motor. Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026 In a now-viral clip, Carpenter overheard someone from the crowd trilling during her set for Weekend 1 and asked if the audience member was yodeling. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026 Sounds of loud trilling shouts after silent hunts, and singing. Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025 The blast furnace of volcanoes has fallen silent, replaced by birdsong trilling from the branches and echoing through a garden of exotic stone. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Expect to marvel at saddles blanketed in blueberries and multi-hued wildflowers, marmots trilling their warnings, ibex perched on rocky spines, and neon critters that wiggle and hop underfoot. Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trilling
Adjective
  • Nine’s creaking, warbling cadence makes for a Thug/Carti hybrid that’s distinct but still close enough to be familiar and palatable.
    Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The song may be six minutes long, but the circuitous lope of his acoustic-guitar strum and low throb of his warbling feel eternal, like the type of tune Sisyphus might have hummed to keep himself company.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Softly so as not to drown out the quavering notes, the congregation put words to the melody.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
  • The governor, Tim Walz, defeated for the Vice Presidency, gets on TV, his voice quavering, saying the right things, speaking the truth, and advising courage.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Anthony approaches music with the heart of a storyteller and the instincts of a poet, creating sound worlds that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 10 July 2026
  • Their algorithms reward simplistic, inflammatory, emotionally resonant content over complexity, nuance, and rigor.
    Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • People started singing, chanting, and cheering together on the street while standing in the rain.
    Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
  • Saturday’s match was missing the loud Latin passion and party atmosphere that South American teams’ fans would have brought; the near-constant singing and chanting to a steady pounding drumbeat.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
Adjective
  • Assuming the role of a human clapper, Holzinger struck its lip again and again, sending a sonorous peal across the Biennale grounds.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026
  • In addition to his film, TV and theater work, Yun has also narrated a ton of Korean documentaries over the years thanks to his sonorous voice.
    Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • The double bass became both the heartbeat and the guide of jazz, supporting the ensemble while adding its own rhythmic and melodic voice.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026
  • Supported by piano, bass and drums, the quartet blended jazz, soul and groove-driven improvisation, with Tillotson’s rich voice and melodic flute lines creating a distinctive sound.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • The fishing village of Klima is well-known for its syrmata, but minuscule Firopotamos is equally appealing.
    Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
  • So that was definitely one of the very appealing parts of this package.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 10 July 2026
Adjective
  • Cecchi recommends visiting from April to June or alternatively in September or October, when the weather is pleasant and the city feels slightly less crowded.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Most people can recover on their own, although the symptoms aren’t pleasant, says Yancey.
    Alice Park, Time, 8 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trilling. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on trilling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!