as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a recording artist who arranges his own vocals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vocals
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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Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
The friends are Edmar Colon on saxophone, Jiri Nedoma on piano and Devon Gates on bass and vocals.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
Here's hoping the contestant has the vocals to match.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The researchers theorize that this kind of intense morning song may help birds warm up their vocals more quickly following a night of rest, which in turn improves their chances of reproductive success during the day.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
Al Green brought his silky vocals to the inaugural show back in 1972.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Moreover, Nina White and Tatum Grace Hopkins, who portrayed Jackie’s daughter Victoria and niece Jonquil, respectively, stand alongside Chenoweth with their own powerhouse vocals.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
With Thornton on lead vocals, the group opened two August shows for The Who during that seminal rock band's final tour.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Lightfoot’s vocals were added later, as his crisply enunciated singing, vivid lyrics and Irish-style folk melody sold the storytelling.
—Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocals
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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According to the lawsuit, the pair filed notices of termination in 2022 to reclaim the rights to those songs, which were released by its subsidiaries Next Plateau London Records.—
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Using his falsetto vocals, this was one of the songs of the summer, blending '80s synth-pop and new wave, with touches of '70s-era funk and blues.—
Noun
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Ejae, who wrote the lyrics and provided the singing voice for the film's character Rumi, accepted the award.—
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Contemplating passing seasons and dead flowers, Weir’s deep, lava lamp-like flow of a vocal is as sadly ruminative as Barlow’s lyrics.—
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
“Vocals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocals. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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