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
The chihuahuan raven has a somewhat different vocalization, with more of a trilling quality to its croak. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026 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
  • Tiny Silver was a birdlike woman, either very young or very old, quavering.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Those parallels felt especially resonant for Liana Hernandez, a student at Mannheim Middle School in Melrose Park.
    — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
  • In a voice-over, Charles delivers a still resonant aria about the difficulties that marrying into the Royal Family presents.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Williams was placed on a stretcher and wheeled off the court, where the Thunder faithful were chanting his name.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Around her, an ecstatic crowd was dancing and chanting in celebration of the former union leader’s reelection.
    — Constance Malleret, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • His army of orcs are tracking down the rest of the titular rings, which are safe(ish) with the elves in the luxe strongholds of Lindon and Rivendell, as well as my beloved dwarves in the sonorous mines of Khazad-dûm.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Dub’s classic elements are present in the bass and drum groove, the offbeat accents and the play of echo, but McDoom balances them carefully against her sonorous voice.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • That decision paid off, as the gorgeous album marries thoughtful and melodic production with deeply personal storytelling about the member’s families and upbringings.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2026
  • With delirious melodic instincts, the Bronx rapper’s new tape evokes Young Money-era swag on a SoundCloud budget.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The Max2 is an appealing option for content creators who want to take advantage of the creative possibilities of a 360-degree video camera, as well as surfers, snowboarders, motorcyclists, and others who want to get the whole world in the shot.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026
  • But what makes this jewelry trend especially appealing is the opportunity to make it entirely your own.
    — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Afternoons should be mild and mostly sunny, with lower humidity making outdoor plans more pleasant.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 2 Nov. 2026
  • As Los Angeles became more crowded and less pleasant a place to live, the high-handedness of Southern California developers and officialdom occasionally got those hands slapped.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trilling. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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