VOCAL Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

vocal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈvō-kəl

Definition of vocal

as in voiced

expressed or communicated by voice our cat is given to making strange vocal noises in the dead of night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

vocal

2 of 2

noun

as in ballad

a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment a recording artist who arranges his own vocals

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 vocal

Adjective

Also, the vocal tracts and brains of our ancestors did not fossilize as they were made of soft tissue. — Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026 Gilbert married Cimorelli, who is in a vocal group with her sisters, in 2020. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026

Noun

Hanlon reimagined the song with a bachata rhythm, while Thalia brought her powerful pop vocals and a distinctly Mexican touch to the arrangement. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2026 Parton recorded her vocals for the track in 2022, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Rolling Stone reported. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vocal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocal

Adjective

Sanders, who co-directed the original movie and voiced Stitch, reprised his voice-over role in the 2025 update.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 July 2025
Several cast members returned, including co-writer and co-director Chris Sanders, who created and voiced Stitch.

— Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 May 2025

Definition of voiced

Noun

The film is directed by David Ayer, a purveyor of wild action flicks and ballads of masculinity; the screenplay is the debut effort of Cameron Alexander.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Then there’s the entertainment team including a pair of dancers who tackle everything from the tango to bachata, a singer who goes for Alicia Keys-style ballads, a jazzy vocalist, and a piano player.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of ballad

Adjective

On the other hand, the call sheet reads like a who’s who of modern musical theater; a company of vocalists so talented that limiting their range to the spoken word is akin to gathering the world’s Olympians and asking them all to play badminton.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026
O’Connell, a soft-spoken man with a keen eye for detail, previously taught woodworking at North Kansas City High School for 27 years while flipping houses during the summers.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of spoken

Noun

In the ‘90s-style video of the song, Swift participates in a dance competition and receives three zeroes from the judges.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
American and German pop songs have, over the past fifty years, become more self-focused.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of song

Adjective

For all their speed-to-market and trend obsessions, fashion companies struggle to update the systems and materials that go into their products, meaning churn reigns and improvements are consigned to that oft-uttered utopian destination known as ‘when there’s time’.

— Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026

Definition of uttered

Noun

The video screen helpfully displayed the lyrics, but nobody needed a prompt.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026
The rock band, known for its unconventional costumes and intentionally offensive lyrics, was nominated for two Grammys, one in 1993 for Best Long Form Music Video and another in 1996 for Best Metal Performance.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of lyric

Adjective

Petitioners’ odds of winning or reaching a settlement dropped by 48 percentage points if their cases required a formal trial rather than a judge ruling based on filings and oral arguments.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Sponsored by the oral care company TheraBreath, the series has been positioned as late-night television’s first microdrama.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of oral

Noun

The atmosphere feels similar to Pentecostal churches, with the hymns and spiritual declarations very familiar to those sung in other churches.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
In the southernmost car, dozens press together and sway in their prayer shawls to the hymns of the morning service.

— Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of hymn

Browse Nearby Words

vocabulary

vocal

vocalist

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“Vocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocal. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of vocal

adjective

noun

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