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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Yungblud easily took on the song’s euphoric verses as Corgan accompanied on guitar, both clad in all-black, from the four-time-platinum LP. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026 Lou Reed modeled the sort of petulant sing-talking that characterizes her verses. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 These verses expressed complex religious ideas in simple, everyday Kashmiri. — Peter Dziedzic, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 An old folk verse prices a simple life at two riyals for beans and one for bread — only half of that tune still rings true. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 29 July 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
  • As the latest chapter in the epic British-American poem known as Fleetwood Mac,Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks are back to tolerating each other’s nonsense in a sexy way.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to her poem at Diana’s funeral, Jane was an important part of her nephew Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of poem
Noun
  • The master told him to go and memorize a thousand lines of poetry.
    — Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Poetic License, written by Raffi Donatich, follows a soon-to-be empty nester (Leslie Mann) who audits a college poetry class after her family moves to a small college town.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of poetry
Verb
  • Davis also told Las Vegas police about his role in Tupac’s death.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In summer 2022, the Today host told her audience how the then five-year-old used her allowance to buy an ice cream cone for a local restaurant manager.
    — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of tell
Noun
  • After nearly 50 years on Main Street in Evanston, as every song has a final note, the final note for Guitar Works is being played.
    — Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As per usual, that song — which is the title track to band’s fourth album from 1977 — served as a massive platform for Young’s guitar work.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of song
Verb
  • Besides its use in educational settings and by other researchers, the report also helps inform national security policy and has been cited by NATO in the past, one source said.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The queen is hysterical when Orwyle informs her that Sunfyre has razed the Mooton army outside Maidenpool.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of inform
Verb
  • In July, the Pentagon completed a monthslong review of the incident, and Army leaders briefed families of the fallen soldiers on their findings.
    — Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The officials, who were briefed on the negotiations, portrayed the potential deal as a temporary solution to the dispute over the strait.
    — Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of brief
Verb
  • Eaton advises checking local facilities for specific costs and remembering that those costs do not include in-vitro fertilization treatment if the patient later chooses to use the eggs.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • My whole life, my father had brightened at the sight of me, laughed at my jokes, and advised my brother, three years younger, to follow my example.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of advise

Phrases Containing verse

Browse Nearby Words

versatility
verse
versed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verse. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on verse

Nglish: Translation of verse for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gnomic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All