1
as in poems
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect
would you care to read your short lyric aloud?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in songs
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
the guitarist sang a gentle lyric while playing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of lyrics
In music therapy, participants collaborate to write lyrics, build beats, and create songs together.
—
Nicole Nielsen, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
In addition to featuring music and lyrics by Keys, the play boasts direction by five-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2026
There’s no shortage of young women making confessional, wry pop music these days, but Hobert has carved out her own lane with a bookish persona and shrewdly specific lyrics bound in tidy and broadly appealing pop songs.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
His music, with its simple strumming and its unmediated lyrics, is generally too plain to be retro.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
But there were no lyrics for the song yet.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
But in these songs, that familiar palette of soothing guitar and fiddle clashes with graphic lyrics.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
The vocals are mechanical and the lyrics repetitive and tedious, the narrator choking on decadence.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Weir's tendency to forget lyrics became a treat for fans at shows, who greeted his slipups with cheers and thunderous applause.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lyrics
Noun
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The whimsical term has also been the title of countless poems, songs and books about remarkable coincidences or eureka moments.—
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In addition to sharing poems that reminded him of Murphy, LaChappelle posted a lengthy caption with his own musings.—
Noun
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Dennis Katz, the head of A&R at Bowie’s record label, RCA Records, was unconvinced that any of the songs recorded so far for the new album would be a hit.—
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Millions more have watched Swerski's catchy songs.—
Noun
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The threadbare ballads from ’90s indie rock records that could have been breakthrough hits if presented in slightly cleaner fidelity.—
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These events will spotlight traditional musical practices, from Appalachian ballads to gospel choirs, and will feature key composers, musicians, and producers from North Carolina.—
Noun
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This blend of styles is not only about presenting contrasts—clean versus shouted vocals, melodic versus dissonant riffs, headbanging versus moshing—but also preserving the murky in-between that only elevates the extreme.—
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The friends are Edmar Colon on saxophone, Jiri Nedoma on piano and Devon Gates on bass and vocals.—
Noun
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Most candlelight services include familiar Christmas hymns, a short message about the birth of Jesus, and a moment of reflection as the lights dim and candles are passed.—
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The film demands plenty of its cast, including singing, dancing and getting caught in rapture, set to an unconventional soundtrack based on Shaker hymns by Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg.—
Cite this Entry
“Lyrics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lyrics. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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