1
as in swaying
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2
as in jaunty
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lilting
Nick Remsen, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
With lilting cadences, the king shares the origin myth of his Nkangala people, that a small elephant shed its skin while bathing in the river and a woman emerged, who married and procreated with his ancestors.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The lilting Calle Malaga, Morocco’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar, is a joy largely because of its veteran star who envelops the screen and grabs a role of a career.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
The first violins unfurl a lilting, lightly bopping tune in D minor.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lilting
Adjective
The bending roads and lilting knolls of College Grove, Tennessee, about 45 minutes south of Nashville, are still verdant in the late August heat.
—Nick Remsen, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
With lilting cadences, the king shares the origin myth of his Nkangala people, that a small elephant shed its skin while bathing in the river and a woman emerged, who married and procreated with his ancestors.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The lilting Calle Malaga, Morocco’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar, is a joy largely because of its veteran star who envelops the screen and grabs a role of a career.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
The first violins unfurl a lilting, lightly bopping tune in D minor.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lilting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lilting
Adjective
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As the sun set below blush clouds, the gently swaying crowd matched the R&B singer’s sultry energy.—
Anna Haines,
Vogue,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Underwood surprisingly played along with the joke in November, dressing up in an orange jumpsuit and jaunty cap on the team’s trip to New York to play Connecticut at Madison Square Garden.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Entryways and showers are outlined in funky, geometric black-and-white patterns, while bathroom floors and counters are a jaunty terrazzo.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over the radio, Bing Crosby is crooning, Bob Hope is joking, and news of the war — against Hitler, against Japan — keeps sizzling and crackling across the dial.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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His coffee shop crooning is a transparent exercise in personal rebranding.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Jack White and Jack Black were the musical guest and host on this week’s Saturday Night Live, which aired on April 4.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
5 Apr. 2026
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The musical takes place in a spectacular outdoor amphitheater that has stadium seating on one side of the stage and the jagged red-and-purple-striped formations of the Badlands rolling out for miles on the other.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The men’s capsule imbues the same collegiate spirit, with polos and shirting in sprightly patterns—albeit, slightly bolder than women’s—alongside said new take on the retailer’s windproof blouson, in khaki, sand and navy, plus relaxed sports shorts.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
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Flora felt a brimming lightness, her sprightly grin restored, a new swing in her step.—
Fiona Donovan,
Vanity Fair,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Chipmunk flows and equally chirpy beats bridge the gap between the Florida fast movement, Detroit cloud rap, and the hazier elements of New York’s young alternative scenes.—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
22 Dec. 2025
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Longtime fans will note how Cabin in the Sky’s volley of chirpy melodies, callbacks to old-school roller-skating and quirky skits featuring Saturday Night Live’s Jay Pharaoh evokes past De La fare like De La Soul Is Dead.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The governor, Tim Walz, defeated for the Vice Presidency, gets on TV, his voice quavering, saying the right things, speaking the truth, and advising courage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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The combination of quavering flutes and solemn, unfamiliar corridors is disquieting.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Participants are able to create a schedule for themselves that supports more solo contemplative space or lively group experiences.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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South Elgin’s protest was just as lively.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lilting. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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