song

noun

ˈsȯŋ How to pronounce song (audio)
Definition of songnext
1
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment she sang a little-known song for the talent show

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2
as in poem
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect the songs of Shakespeare

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3
as in melody
a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect whistle a song as accompaniment to your work

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4
as in dime
a very small sum of money developers bought the land for a song

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in poetry
writing that uses rhythm, vivid language, and often rhyme to provoke an emotional response a hero honored in song and story

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 song Stone, in a royal blue skirt suit, posed for pictures before stopping to chat happily with the Haim sisters, with Este Haim breaking into song. — Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 Her dad and brother would sing Rangers songs around the kitchen at home, and Steph remembered thinking, Mum’s right there. — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026 Watch the first trailer for Blue Planet III, with the original song from Jade and Zimmer, right here. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 The musical features a book by Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the film screenplay, and songs from the film. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for song
Recent Examples of Synonyms for song
  1. ballad
  2. poem
  3. melody
  4. dime
  5. poetry
  6. lyric
  7. hymn
  8. anthem
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
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
  • The story takes place around the Club Rumba Royale, where white Europeans and Congolese citizens rub shoulders, and where the captivating melodies of rumba merge with aspirations and fiery debates of independence.
    — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • And Alison wrote this beautiful melody that took me literally a month to learn.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of melody
Noun
  • Run clubs, Akhibi acknowledges, are a dime-a-dozen, with at least 200 in New York alone.
    — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Didn’t charge us a dime and Wende paid for all the food and liquor.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of dime
Noun
  • There are novels that are all just poetry and emotion and themes, in which nothing happens.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The shop carries a small but curated selection from around the world focusing on topics like art, design, theory, hybrid works, fiction and poetry.
    — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of poetry
Noun
  • Furnari recalled that some of the song’s early music and lyrics came together quickly, but writing words that could do justice to their experience was another matter.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In a place filled with people confronting the challenge of rebuilding their lives, the lyrics of one particular song were a reverie.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of lyric
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
Noun
  • And while the anthem played , the two teams' players, coaches and others stood along the sidelines.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Created by a band formed in Mesa, the anthem delivers both Phoenix-area representation and a genuinely motivating workout message.
    — qygwork, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of anthem

Phrases Containing song

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sonant
song
song and dance
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on song

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about song

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