verse 1 of 2

noun

ˈvərs How to pronounce verse (audio)
Definition of versenext
1
as in poem
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect composed a short verse for his mother's birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in poetry
writing that uses rhythm, vivid language, and often rhyme to provoke an emotional response skilled at verse

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

verse

2 of 2

verb

as in to tell
to give information to while in prison, he versed himself in the rights of the incarcerated

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 verse
Noun
With a steady job, a community behind him, and a dream of a home and a beagle named Snoopy, Brown believes his best verse is still unwritten. — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 Nuanced, resonant verse paints a clear-eyed, profoundly loving portrait of a teen navigating the complexities of growing up. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 Pairing you and Kathryn Newton in the potential Landon-verse crossover of Freaky Death Day makes so much sense from an actor and character standpoint. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Partita takes a poem that vibrates with political energy and domesticates it, sapping this very famous verse of its revolutionary bite. — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for verse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verse
  1. poem
  2. poetry
  3. tell
  4. song
  5. inform
  6. brief
  7. advise
Noun
  • In its simplest definition, a ballad is a poem or song that tells a story.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • One of us would be chosen to recite the poem onstage—a kitsch performance, no doubt, so that an auditorium of adults would be moved to tears.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of poem
Noun
  • Her most recent work, Elegies (2023), a documentary about Hong Kong poetry, opened Hong Kong International Film Festival and was nominated for the Golden Horse Awards.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Robin Williams wore it as the unorthodox poetry teacher in Dead Poets Society; Donald Sutherland donned his own wide-wale version as the burnout professor in Animal House.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of poetry
Verb
  • Some economists, including researchers at the Minneapolis Fed, argue the data don’t tell such a clean story.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The company agrees with skeptics like the NFL that justices must eventually opine on whether states and tribes should regulate its sports event contracts as sports bets, a Supreme Court litigator working with Kalshi told Semafor.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of tell
Noun
  • Composer Ghulam Mohammed died in 1968 after writing the songs, leaving Naushad to complete the background score.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The song makes clear that while Jake Shane might not be this generation’s Truman Capote, Troye Sivan certainly isn’t either.
    — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of song
Verb
  • His archival sketches of solitaire diamond rings also informed the design.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The facility lacks a verifiable method that informs food employees of their responsibility to report their health status in regards to illnesses that can spread through food.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of inform
Verb
  • Reuters — Many people were wounded in a blast at Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday, according to two eyewitnesses and two people briefed on the matter, and travelers were evacuated from parts of the facility.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Fox News Digital was briefed on the most current insights and data on Israel’s success rate in saving soldiers’ lives from a senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) medical specialist in battlefield medicine.
    — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of brief
Verb
  • Inside, Kaylee is eager to prove herself by really learning laundry and nailing it; Fraser advises her to come up with a system and stick to it.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In recent history, the Justice Department's practice has been to advise prosecutors not to take any overt investigative steps against members of Congress or candidates within 60 days of an election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of advise

Phrases Containing verse

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versatility
verse
versed
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Cite this Entry

“Verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verse. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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