poet

noun

ˈpō-ət How to pronounce poet (audio)
Definition of poetnext
as in minstrel
a person who writes poetry Emily Dickinson is famous as the poet who rarely left the house but often journeyed to the depths of the human heart

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 poet On the facing page was Gompers’s block print/line drawing of the Tibetan saint and poet Milarepa sitting in a lotus position, a Sierra cup at his feet, and a Campingaz Bleuet stove resting on a boulder. — Literary Hub, 29 June 2026 Neruda, also a diplomat and politician, is considered one of the most important Latin American poets of the 20th century, having won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971. — USA Today, 29 June 2026 Even more than usual, critics and Dylanologists scrutinized Modern Times for references and allusions, finding words and melodies paraphrased from the works of Muddy Waters, Bing Crosby, and the Roman poet Ovid. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 29 June 2026 The feature by Calvo and Ambrossi, who are known popularly as Los Javis, explores LGBT heritage and pays tribute to murdered Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca through the interconnected stories of three men in the three different eras of 1932, 1937 and 2017. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for poet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poet
  1. minstrel
  2. muse
  3. bard
Noun
  • They were published in the North and South, performed in racist minstrel shows and polite parlors, and sung by abolitionists and defenders of enslavement alike.
    — Christopher Lynch, The Conversation, 1 July 2026
  • And with fiddles, accordions, guitars and her current instrument of choice, the minstrel banjo.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 June 2026
Definition of minstrel
Noun
  • As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • The main social space on the ground floor is purposely uncluttered, all the better to shift easily between poolside family frolics, predinner drinks with guests, and ad hoc performances when the muse strikes.
    — Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026
Definition of muse
Noun
  • Nolan cast Travis Scott in the role of a bard because of the parallels between the rapper's primary profession and the nature of The Odyssey itself.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
  • The admiral's swagger, battlefield bravado and desire for revenge will be sung by the bards of Westeros, and serve as a breakthrough showcase for Thorn, a playwright and YouTuber, who came out as a transgender woman in a January 2021 video on her Philosophy Tube channel.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Definition of bard

Browse Nearby Words

poesy
poet
poetaster
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Cite this Entry

“Poet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poet. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on poet

Nglish: Translation of poet for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poet

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