as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a recording artist who arranges his own vocals
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Recent Examples of vocals
The soundtrack for the full-band pic features a staticky guitar line with melodic vocals that doo-doo-doo (and the studio shot sounds very similar).
—
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
While the British singer’s longing vocals and smooth hooks take obvious cues from ’90s and 2000s’ R&B, her bouncy and moody SoCal sound aligns her with the present.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026
In one corner of the dance floor, an immigrant defense group collects sign-ups for trainings while Renee Rapp’s vocals bounce off of frenetic bodies.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Camper helms production on the track, laying down a soulful canvas for Monét’s honeyed vocals to glide over.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
The International Skating Union began allowing music with vocals in 2014.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
In addition to drums, Ranken played the harmonica and provided vocals for the group.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Los Tigres del Norte — which still features Jorge Hernández on lead vocals — has amassed some truly incredible stats over the decades.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Copies of the book included a link to a recording of the titular lullaby—featuring Clarkson’s dreamy vocals, of course.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
While the British singer’s longing vocals and smooth hooks take obvious cues from ’90s and 2000s’ R&B, her bouncy and moody SoCal sound aligns her with the present.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026
In one corner of the dance floor, an immigrant defense group collects sign-ups for trainings while Renee Rapp’s vocals bounce off of frenetic bodies.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Camper helms production on the track, laying down a soulful canvas for Monét’s honeyed vocals to glide over.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
The International Skating Union began allowing music with vocals in 2014.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
In addition to drums, Ranken played the harmonica and provided vocals for the group.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Los Tigres del Norte — which still features Jorge Hernández on lead vocals — has amassed some truly incredible stats over the decades.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Copies of the book included a link to a recording of the titular lullaby—featuring Clarkson’s dreamy vocals, of course.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocals
Noun
-
Her program will feature dance tunes, ballads and airs.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And since leaving prison in early January, the preacher has wasted no time in spreading his gospel in a tranche of new songs published on his social media platforms.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Unlike many of his Latin pop predecessors, who released songs in English in hopes of broadening their audience, the singer has not recorded any full-length English material across his six studio albums.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The song’s lyrics come from a poem his great grandmother penned more than a century ago.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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More uncomfortable than the album’s distorted genrebending are Han’s lyrics, which narrate confessional and confrontational male desire.—
James Gui,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Accompanied by ringing bells, ethereal music and chanting hymns, the priests gracefully moved their arms in unison, holding up various flaming brass lamps during the 45-minute serene and powerful ritual.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
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The old Latin Mass features readings and hymns in Latin with the priest facing the altar, his back to the faithful in the pews.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vocals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocals. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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