1
as in poems
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect
would you care to read your short lyric aloud?
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2
as in songs
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
the guitarist sang a gentle lyric while playing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of lyrics
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
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
The lyrics are similarly minimal, often serving as texture until an emotion breaks through.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026
Pratt, whose lyrics have always been critical of capitalism, is aware of the irony.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
Wanted features book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri (a real-life descendant of the Sisters Clarke), music by Ross Baum, direction by Stevie Walker-Webb (Ain’t No Mo’), and choreography by Chelsey Arce.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Many lyrics and dialogue are highlighted in yellow or pink, alongside scribbled notes.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
His lyrics of drug abuse, economic deprivation, crime, and failure, depicted a lifestyle that many of us were all too familiar with, but unsure of how to cope with.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 13 May 2026
Wheatley was born in West Africa before being kidnapped and enslaved, and wrote timeless, staggering lyrics of elegy and Biblical allusion while enduring the bondage of slavery.
—Time, 12 May 2026
Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
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
The lyrics are similarly minimal, often serving as texture until an emotion breaks through.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026
Pratt, whose lyrics have always been critical of capitalism, is aware of the irony.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
Wanted features book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri (a real-life descendant of the Sisters Clarke), music by Ross Baum, direction by Stevie Walker-Webb (Ain’t No Mo’), and choreography by Chelsey Arce.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Many lyrics and dialogue are highlighted in yellow or pink, alongside scribbled notes.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
His lyrics of drug abuse, economic deprivation, crime, and failure, depicted a lifestyle that many of us were all too familiar with, but unsure of how to cope with.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 13 May 2026
Wheatley was born in West Africa before being kidnapped and enslaved, and wrote timeless, staggering lyrics of elegy and Biblical allusion while enduring the bondage of slavery.
—Time, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyrics
Noun
-
The literary début of the Auto-Beatnik, a machine that could compose five thousand poems in an hour or so, caught the attention of Time, Life, and the Times.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
All sorts of stories, narratives, poems, novels, memos, and other forms of writing are scanned.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
On the last Unusual Tuesday of April, Zabaglio performed soft electric-indie ballads to a roar of applause as the first act of the night.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Tony nominee Marla Mindelle, who plays Céline, is an estimable loon — a loon with enviable comedic chops and glorious vocals.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
15 May 2026
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Condenser microphones are better for capturing quieter, more precise audio like vocals in a studio setting.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Blues developed after the Civil War (1861–65) and was influenced by 19th-century work songs and field hollers, minstrel show music, ragtime, and church music such as spirituals and hymns, as well as the folk and popular music of white Southerners.—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
15 May 2026
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The inspiring and idiosyncratic debut from a 53-year-old priest in Greece pinballs between drone metal and techno Christmas carols, field recordings and hymns.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lyrics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyrics. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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