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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Its unnervingly jaunty melody pushes against devastating lyrics, and Simone kept updating its verses as new American horrors demanded acknowledgment.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
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Glue the point of the hat to the side to give it a jaunty look.—
Caylin Harris,
Parents,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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What’s more, he is seen and heard crooning more than his costar in the film Kelly Rowland, who was one third of the legendary girl group Destiny’s Child, and has had a successful solo career since.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Tammy Wynette and George Jones may have gotten a D-I-V-O-R-C-E, but the crooning duo had a hard time severing ties for good.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Two big musical acts are playing at this year's Super Bowl?—
Seth Jacobson,
The Providence Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
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He'll be joined by musical guest Mumford & Sons, who are old pros by now after three previous stints on the Studio 8H stage.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The sprightly song is now the longest-running No. 1 song in Billboard chart history after extending its reign on the Hot 100 to 20 total weeks this year.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
15 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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Where there would once be huge lively crowds gathering in support of Hong Kong’s democracy figures, the mood was subdued and yet at the same time on edge.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2026
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And lively neighborhoods like Myeongdong and Hongdae are hot spots for shopping, local street food, K-pop culture, and nightlife.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lilting. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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