1
as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a little-known song for the talent show
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in poems
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect
the songs of Shakespeare
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in poetries
writing that uses rhythm, vivid language, and often rhyme to provoke an emotional response
a hero honored in song and story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of songs
Many songs are now written on computers, using sequencers, patterns, and loops, with notes laid out in perfect synchrony on a rhythmic, 4/4 grid.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
More than two dozen protesters lined the inside and hallway outside of Little’s office for hours, holding transgender rights signs and singing songs that could be heard throughout the Statehouse.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The film will feature original songs by Kid Cudi, who’s exec producing alongside Karina Manashil under their Mad Solar banner, with Webber, Anthony Baldino, and Ryan Lacen producing.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The show itself wasn’t totally polished, as several times during the set, West had directed the show staff to change visuals, leading him to start over several songs.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
This can occasionally become tiring, and the back half of the record is littered with tracks that work better as gay WrestleMania intros than as actual songs.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
Along with their frequent producer, Jim Vollentine, Quist and Jurdi were joined by Nealon for some modest preproduction on Country Sides, but most of the songs took shape over the course of four days in the studio.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
These songs have a magnificent swagger — again, a swagger reminiscent of the world’s greatest swaggerers from Elvis to Freddie to Prince.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Relationship songs about things that ended years ago.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
More than two dozen protesters lined the inside and hallway outside of Little’s office for hours, holding transgender rights signs and singing songs that could be heard throughout the Statehouse.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The film will feature original songs by Kid Cudi, who’s exec producing alongside Karina Manashil under their Mad Solar banner, with Webber, Anthony Baldino, and Ryan Lacen producing.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The show itself wasn’t totally polished, as several times during the set, West had directed the show staff to change visuals, leading him to start over several songs.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
This can occasionally become tiring, and the back half of the record is littered with tracks that work better as gay WrestleMania intros than as actual songs.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
Along with their frequent producer, Jim Vollentine, Quist and Jurdi were joined by Nealon for some modest preproduction on Country Sides, but most of the songs took shape over the course of four days in the studio.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
These songs have a magnificent swagger — again, a swagger reminiscent of the world’s greatest swaggerers from Elvis to Freddie to Prince.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Relationship songs about things that ended years ago.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for songs
Noun
-
The Asian version will take flight after the original contest takes place in Vienna in May, with 35 countries competing in the singing contest known for outrageous costumes, towering ballads and high-energy performances.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
31 Mar. 2026
-
His lot has electricity, a shack for storage, a living room with a TV and a sound system that blasts Spanish-language ballads through the encampment — or Usher, depending on the mood.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wessels catches gleams to follow not only in magical tales but in twinkling memories, sparkling wordplay, the films of silver-screen star Veronica Lake, and his charm of a daughter, the inspiration of a half-dozen poems that take their titles from spells.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
His poems employ numbers significant to Dine (Navajo) thought and ways of life.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The heart is painted to look like a globe, and the chimes can play melodies from different countries.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The woman repeats the test multiple times, switching to different alarm melodies each time—and the cat responds the same way on every attempt.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Throughout his music career, Cole has incorporated basketball images and references into his lyrics, performances and cover art.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Country Sides is an 11-track LP that showcases the Heathens’ range in melody and lyrics, drawing on sounds and styles that defined their two decades as a hard-driving Americana outfit.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The couple hired Malé Girl Band, an all-female band, who played classical music during the ceremony and cocktail hour and more upbeat (and varied, as there was a Goo Goo Dolls moment) tunes for the party.—
Kaitlin Menza,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Roswell Music Festival With six adult contemporary bands performing in historic downtown Roswell, this music festival is all about the tunes.—
Lesly Gregory,
AJC.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The epitome of that tradition is Choral Evensong, an evening service of hymns, psalms and prayers laid out by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Protestant archbishop of the Church of England, in 1549.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Outside, the protesters sang hymns and chanted prayers and held signs and images of the Virgin Mary.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The former consists of Eva Grant on lead vocals, George Jensen on lead guitar, River Chadwick on bass, Leo Giaconi on rhythm guitar and Luca Giaconi on drums.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Digitally tweaked to fit the syncopated rhythm and stay on key, Weir’s vocals have a discomfiting quality that’s almost certainly unintentional—especially considering how often the beauty of the Dead lied in their very human imperfections.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The jingles and sounders used to identify CBS News network programming heard on the stations for decades have also been part of the listening experience.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
And expect a few jingles from the Fab Four.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Songs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/songs. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
