as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a recording artist who arranges his own vocals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 vocals
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
Oftentimes, the backing track very clearly overpowered his vocals.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
From his crisp, commanding vocals to his easy, magnetic charm, Morrison moved seamlessly through Darin’s catalog, balancing showmanship with quieter, more introspective moments that revealed the man behind the music.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
The vocals and Bruno Mars samples are a little too bright.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Monica re-recorded her vocals with her own producer, Dallas Austin, while her label boss, Clive Davis, renamed Monica's album The Boy Is Mine as a way of trying to claim ownership of the duet.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
And while the incognito Frenchmen behind Daft Punk — Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo — had literal masks to hide behind, Gorillaz fans all knew exactly what the already famous man behind the lead vocals looked like.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
Lebohang Morake — the Grammy-winning South African composer behind the film’s opening Zulu vocals — filed a federal civil complaint in California on March 16 against the comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, alleging that the translation is false and damaging to his life’s work.
—Joe Kottke, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
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
Oftentimes, the backing track very clearly overpowered his vocals.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
From his crisp, commanding vocals to his easy, magnetic charm, Morrison moved seamlessly through Darin’s catalog, balancing showmanship with quieter, more introspective moments that revealed the man behind the music.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
The vocals and Bruno Mars samples are a little too bright.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Monica re-recorded her vocals with her own producer, Dallas Austin, while her label boss, Clive Davis, renamed Monica's album The Boy Is Mine as a way of trying to claim ownership of the duet.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
And while the incognito Frenchmen behind Daft Punk — Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo — had literal masks to hide behind, Gorillaz fans all knew exactly what the already famous man behind the lead vocals looked like.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
Lebohang Morake — the Grammy-winning South African composer behind the film’s opening Zulu vocals — filed a federal civil complaint in California on March 16 against the comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, alleging that the translation is false and damaging to his life’s work.
—Joe Kottke, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocals
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
-
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
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 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
Cite this Entry
“Vocals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocals. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
