as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a recording artist who arranges his own vocals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of vocals
The song also features Chrissie Hynde and Sharleen Spiteri on backing vocals.
—
Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
Kendrick and Rihanna’s vocals are crisp throughout the song.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Distilled to vocals, guitar, bass, piano and drums as Perry sheds a lifetime of weight, the song ends on a single, resonant power chord — a sonic declaration of liberation.
—Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The band members are Kris Bergmann on vocals, John Murphy on vocals and keyboards, Andrew Sage on vocals and guitar, Michael Schomaker on guitar, Dave Bell on bass and Mike Racer on drums.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Stefani and the band - including two energetic multitaskers on keyboards, horns and backing vocals - sounded tight and looked playful during the show.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Two minutes later, the guitars have their own moment, jamming for more than a minute with Lewis’ vocals coming in only at the end.
—Tina Eves, SPIN, 4 May 2026
There are soaring layers of harmony vocals, a glistening 12-string-guitar part, driving drum fills that speed the song forward.
—Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
But Burnett was on to something — what may most strike you this time around is the utter sonorousness of Starr’s vocals (not to be confused, of course, with Sonor Drums).
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
Kendrick and Rihanna’s vocals are crisp throughout the song.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Distilled to vocals, guitar, bass, piano and drums as Perry sheds a lifetime of weight, the song ends on a single, resonant power chord — a sonic declaration of liberation.
—Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The band members are Kris Bergmann on vocals, John Murphy on vocals and keyboards, Andrew Sage on vocals and guitar, Michael Schomaker on guitar, Dave Bell on bass and Mike Racer on drums.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Stefani and the band - including two energetic multitaskers on keyboards, horns and backing vocals - sounded tight and looked playful during the show.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Two minutes later, the guitars have their own moment, jamming for more than a minute with Lewis’ vocals coming in only at the end.
—Tina Eves, SPIN, 4 May 2026
There are soaring layers of harmony vocals, a glistening 12-string-guitar part, driving drum fills that speed the song forward.
—Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
But Burnett was on to something — what may most strike you this time around is the utter sonorousness of Starr’s vocals (not to be confused, of course, with Sonor Drums).
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocals
Noun
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Devin Archer richly interprets Emile’s romantic ballads, French accent and all, while Cindy Chang brings some honest dignity to Bloody Mary and Anthony Maggio’s Cabel goes far beyond the standard-issue tenor.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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From Croatian folk and Czech power ballads to Serbian prog-metal and Swedish techno, here’s a look at the runners and riders from worst to best.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The show is designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
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In fact, she’s been struggling to write songs for several years due to the traumatic experience of being raped in high school.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Rob turtled inside the plastic covering while viewers heard a soundtrack of tritely soulful country lyrics about being a house of cards that’s about to break.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
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Frank Sinatra would never have allowed that monster in the White House to use his music or put his lyrics in his mouth.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Research shows that musical memories are the last memories to leave you, so the choir performs church hymns and patriotic songs at senior living facilities and veterans homes.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
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Sometimes that battle is filtered through songs that sound like show tunes or gospel hymns.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vocals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocals. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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