as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a recording artist who arranges his own vocals
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Recent Examples of vocals
When kuru’s vocals get more monotone, Backstage hologram ornaments the toplines with gorgeous digital keyboard parts that reference the crusty, low-res soundtracks of Nintendo DS-era RPGs like Pokemon Diamond & Pearl.
—
Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 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
The festival also waited until late March to announce a headlining performance by Neurosis, who timed the news with the surprise release of An Undying Love for a Burning World, the group’s first album since 2016, notably with Aaron Turner from Isis replacing Scott Kelly on vocals.
—David Harris, SPIN, 27 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
In fact, Jimmy Jam says the siblings recorded their vocals in different places, with Michael recording in New York while his younger sister recorded in Minneapolis.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 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.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
The song’s emotional core is unmistakable, with impassioned vocals capturing a sense of longing and vulnerability.
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
In 1977, Vandross introduced Anderson to Rodgers and his writing partner Bernard Edwards, who were forming the then-new group, Chic, with Tony Thompson on drums and Norma Jean Wright on lead vocals.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 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
The festival also waited until late March to announce a headlining performance by Neurosis, who timed the news with the surprise release of An Undying Love for a Burning World, the group’s first album since 2016, notably with Aaron Turner from Isis replacing Scott Kelly on vocals.
—David Harris, SPIN, 27 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
In fact, Jimmy Jam says the siblings recorded their vocals in different places, with Michael recording in New York while his younger sister recorded in Minneapolis.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 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.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
The song’s emotional core is unmistakable, with impassioned vocals capturing a sense of longing and vulnerability.
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
In 1977, Vandross introduced Anderson to Rodgers and his writing partner Bernard Edwards, who were forming the then-new group, Chic, with Tony Thompson on drums and Norma Jean Wright on lead vocals.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocals
Noun
-
Not that the album can really be divided into ballads and rockers.—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
-
His silky ballads are uniformly thoughtful and well-constructed, but lack the pathos that would give them greater depth and dimension.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some stories plant deep in your creative brain and come out through songs heard on the radio and random daydreams in the shower.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
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Gorman’s songs have charted on Billboard, and his YouTube account has more than 380 million streams.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, in the White House briefing room this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio filled in for Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary now on maternity leave, quoting rap lyrics in response to questions about Iran.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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The musical features a book and lyrics by Dan Marshall and music by Julianne Wick Davis.—
Staff report,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Sometimes that battle is filtered through songs that sound like show tunes or gospel hymns.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
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In some public schools, including in large cities such as Philadelphia, students of all religions were required to read the Bible and sing Protestant hymns.—
David Mislin,
The Conversation,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vocals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocals. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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