lyric 1 of 2

noun

ˈlir-ik How to pronounce lyric (audio)
Definition of lyricnext
1
as in poem
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 ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment the guitarist sang a gentle lyric while playing

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lyric

2 of 2

adjective

1
as in lyrical
having a pleasantly flowing quality suggestive of music they performed a slow, lyric dance for the audience

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poetic
having qualities suggestive of poetry the film's lyric photography really enhanced its romantic mood

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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 lyric
Noun
In 1964, Hughes suggested Simone consider singing the lyrics of an obscure song that his personal assistant, George Bass, uncovered while preparing archival material for his radio show broadcast. — Jason Miller, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 The eight-part documentary reflects on his life and times by deconstructing his lyrics, à la his 2010 memoir, Decoded, authored by journalist and filmmaker dream hampton. — John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The scales are infinite, and the lyric combinations are infinite. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 Also in the cast are bass-baritone Miguel Angelo Samson, lyric baritone Eric Cornwell, mezzo-soprano Kaitlin Barron Lupton and bass-baritone Malachi Marshall. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lyric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyric
  1. poem
  2. ballad
  3. lyrical
  4. poetic
  5. song
  6. hymn
  7. melodic
  8. poetical
Noun
  • Her father had been dead for five years when, at 13, Plath wrote a poem about the death of another adult in her life, her beloved teacher, Miss Cox.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of poem
Noun
  • But on the piano, laser-beamed into his songcraft, he’s quietly electrified, at seemingly at peace as his tenorous vocal glissando and nimble fingerwork on the piano produce shiveringly tender folk ballads that echo Harry Nilsson and Van Morrison.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Local-language pop ballads and American rap music blast from speakers.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of ballad
Adjective
  • Yet, as with many of Swift’s exes, Hiddleston will forever and always provide some sort of lyrical stimulus.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Some collaborators wanted to talk first, establishing a concept and lyrical world before anyone touched the melody.
    — Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of lyrical
Adjective
  • Amanda Shires makes poetic songs that are just these heartbreaking stories, done in a way that’s so classy, and like Leonard Cohen.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Then there are novels that just feel online, deploying punchy paragraphs with ample white space, juxtaposing the everyday with the incendiary, the poetic, and the absurd.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of poetic
Noun
  • During the themed show, the dancers performed to many of Carey’s songs from over the years.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Thriller was expansive in sound, but its magic was rendered over just nine songs.
    — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of song
Noun
  • In public at least, the BBC and new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s administration are singing from the same hymn sheet.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The atmosphere feels similar to Pentecostal churches, with the hymns and spiritual declarations very familiar to those sung in other churches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of hymn
Adjective
  • Kakul Srivastava is the CEO of Splice, the sample platform countless producers rely on for one-shots and melodic loops.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 3 Oct. 2026
  • His style, reminiscent of Nick Cave, is incantatory, and the result is that the not-especially-melodic songs tend to bleed into each other with a sameness that ultimately proves monotonous.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of melodic
Adjective
  • There are ones who are more ideological, others more poetical.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Svelte yet heavy, Clipse’s latest sees all their phonetic and poetical gifts rendered to subtly maximal effect, with their lithe vocals cresting Pharrell’s glossy surfaces like snowfall.
    — Peter A. Berry, Variety, 11 July 2025
Definition of poetical

Browse Nearby Words

lynx-eyed
lyric
lyrical
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Cite this Entry

“Lyric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyric. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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