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
Back on track, Wagoner begins the next verse, demanding to know what Parton has done with the rent money. — Stephanie Vander Wel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 Parton wisely opened the song with a verse that is completely universal about worklife, saving more specific complaints for later. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 The producer David McConnell, who worked on Elliott’s final album, compares the typical song to racing around a track, hitting the same predictable markers over and over—verse, chorus, verse, chorus. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 In the first four verses, the speaker casts God in the role of a shepherd. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 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
  • By the end, the clasp, which incorporates a personal poem, looms large in comparison, representing the virus overwhelming the community.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The ten lines of the ‘anbara poem are the ten sections of the book, all untranslated, just in Arabic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of poem
Noun
  • Most of the books were published between the nineteen-seventies and the twenty-tens, and the genres spanned history, biography, fiction, poetry, literary criticism, law, and the social sciences.
    — Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
  • This reputation is tied to the biting wit and unruly imagination found across his prose, poetry and political writings.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of poetry
Verb
  • Home plate umpire Doug Eddings called time to tell Hancel Rincon to fix his hat.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Several parents previously told the Democrat-Gazette and other local media that the couple then disappeared and stopped responding to emails or phone calls.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of tell
Noun
  • Fans are now allowed to move freely, but not standing for the song can draw scrutiny, such as when Bad Bunny remained seated in the stands as the song played at Game 3 of the 2025 American League Division Series.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • This is the song’s first award nomination and her first fully country track since the original Red era.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of song
Verb
  • The pilots did not inform air traffic controllers of any problems with the plane prior to landing, air traffic control audio indicated.
    — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Smart travelers stay informed by reading the fine print and understanding travel requirements for their destination.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of inform
Verb
  • The news media, plus the Department of Defense, the FBI, the CIA and other federal agencies needed to be briefed on what was going on.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The White House and Noem’s successor, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, have been briefed on the investigation, according to the report.
    — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of brief
Verb
  • Earlier this summer, a panel that advises the Food and Drug Administration recommended the government reclassify half a dozen of these peptides.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The airport advises travelers to check with their airline for schedule changes.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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 patina

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All