as in accent
the attractive quality of speech or music that rises and falls in a pleasing pattern
There was a charming lilt to her voice. a tune with a lilt
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lilt
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
The tinkering percussion is no match for her lyrical display, delivered with the sarcastic lilt of Slick Rick and impressive meter.
66.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
Waltzing along the fine line between preciousness and profundity, Brion’s lilting piano theme perfectly echoes the tone of a beguiling romance that — by design — struggles to find a balance in its feelings.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Noun
The sophisticated parsing of law and finance, the hard-nosed practicality of retail politics, and the workaday lilt of person-in-the-street interviews converge on the soundtrack and are reflected in images that are modestly but candidly communicative—uninflected but humming with passion.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
The tinkering percussion is no match for her lyrical display, delivered with the sarcastic lilt of Slick Rick and impressive meter.
66.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
Platt has assembled key creatives from his own Oscar-winning La La Land including songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who have provided some lively and lilting new tunes.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
Waltzing along the fine line between preciousness and profundity, Brion’s lilting piano theme perfectly echoes the tone of a beguiling romance that — by design — struggles to find a balance in its feelings.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lilt
Noun
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And Flagship Business and Flagship Suite passengers will find a black pouch with red accents.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
12 June 2025
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Brass accents, a custom marble fireplace, and antiques sourced from London, Paris, and New York enhance the elevated, classical ambiance.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Nat King Cole crooned about its kicks in a 1946 hit song.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
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This might be the most 1990s song to ever exist in the best possible way — a perfectly airy mix of programmed drums, keyboards, whooshing ocean sounds, and crooning backup singers.—
Shana Naomi Krochmal,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Business leaders can do this by reassuring employees through regular town halls or by maintaining a regular cadence of communication.—
Nicole Tidei,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Many are currently on a cadence of 45 minutes to an hour, Cagle said.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The famous John Williams fanfare that blasted Star Wars onto our screens had appreciably less impact than even a standard screen would now offer, let alone IMAX and Dolby Cinema premium offerings while at some parts of the film, the sound warbled a little, before returning to normal.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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The whole montage was respectful and gracious, with a classical score, rather than a pop chipmunk warbling a sensitive ballad about dead people.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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At the week-long retreat guests hike through stunning wilderness, eat nourishing food, learn about circadian rhythms, and engage in deep emotional work.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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The change of tempos backlights her sadness against crisp instrumentation and blurry rhythms, like Blaney is staring out a foggy bus window on the ride home.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
13 June 2025
Verb
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The Wolf & Shepherd Crossover Plain Toe Derby Shoes are $87 off and sharp enough for weddings or work trips.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2025
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The world’s second-largest economy continues to face a range of challenges, from job insecurity among the younger generation to sharp downturns in the property sector, once a cornerstone of the country’s economic growth.—
Hassan Tayir,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But stimming takes on many other forms that are common in the workplace, such as humming, pen-clicking or using stress balls and fidget toys.—
Pamela Furr,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Singing, humming, laughing and even gargling stimulate the vagus nerve, and cold-water exposure can activate it and enhance its tone. 4.—
Paul von Zielbauer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
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There’ll probably be some cowbells, and there might be someone trilling in sultry Portuguese or a burst of wordless, stoic alpha-male grunts.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
26 Mar. 2025
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Her soft-focus voice floats over trilling mandolin picking and reserved fiddle.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lilt. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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