Definition of melodistnext
as in composer
a person who writes musical compositions a melodist whose music is not likely to be very accessible to the casual listener

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 melodist The album puts a further exclamation point on Schwartz’s rare brilliance as both melodist and lyricist, a la Sondheim. — Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024 In Radiance Rising, inspired by anime openings, Ben Spivey imagines the violins as melodists, the viola as an electric guitar, the cello as percussion, progressing to a dancelike ending. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 24 Apr. 2023 His poetry has been continuously set to music by composers, from his contemporaries to still-living melodists, including Carrie Jacobs-Bond, John Alden Carpenter, Harry Thacker Burleigh, William Bolcom and Zenobia Powell Perry. — Minnita Daniel-Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023 But the Romanian conductor happens to be music director of the Cabrillo Festival, which was founded by Lou Harrison, California’s great melodist and eclectic. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melodist
Noun
  • The 66-year-old composer and lyricist behind Hairspray has performed in nearly every high-pressure setting imaginable, from Saturday Night Live to the Academy Awards.
    — Brian Raftery, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Celebrated composer Philip Glass will lead the symphonic concert Bowie (Breaking) Glass in partnership with Schirmer Theatrical and Østre Gasværk Teater.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

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

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