INSTRUMENTALIST Synonyms: 38 Similar Words

instrumentalist

noun

ˌin(t)-strə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ist

Definition of instrumentalist

as in musician

a person who plays a musical instrument he excels as a conductor, a composer, and as an instrumentalist

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 instrumentalist Now 94, Cynthia still entertains with tales of bygone Barbados at the family's regular guest cocktail parties, whilst dinner is underscored by jazz singers and instrumentalists. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 The neighborhood band, a community effort, draws 20 to 30 instrumentalists each year and rehearses just once, 30 minutes before the procession. — Georgia Ross, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026 Coleman’s harmolodic theory — in which melody, harmony and rhythm are each treated as equal components to be performed simultaneously by each instrumentalist in a group — had a profound effect on Ulmer. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026 It would later be covered by Connie Francis, Peggy Lee, and instrumentalist Joe Harnell. — David Morgan, CBS News, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for instrumentalist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumentalist

Noun

Livia’s sister-in-law invokes the poem when Livia learns, to her surprise, that her manipulative, abusive mother had been a frustrated musician.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Most Read Reviews Appropriately enough for two musicians working at the cutting edge of this underground, Bowery Electric’s Martha Schwendener and Lawrence Chandler met while working at pre-fab master Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of musician

Noun

The honor recognizes artists whose careers and creative choices illuminate complex, boundary-crossing stories and expand representation in global entertainment.

— Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
The island’s permanent Art House invites guests—of all ages—to get creative on canvas or pottery with the guidance of its resident artist.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of artist

Noun

That suggests that the filmmaker and performer is not on the general public’s radar in as big a way as the breathless media coverage suggests.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
Her crime was objecting, out loud, when another performer railed against Israel from a stage.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of performer

Browse Nearby Words

instrumental

instrumentalist

instrumentalists

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“Instrumentalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumentalist. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instrumentalist

noun

Example Sentences

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