vocals

noun

plural of vocal
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

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 vocals That album, like the Dio Sabbath classics before it, was fine-tuned for metalhead appreciation, thick with crushing riffs and dramatic vocals. — Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026 In addition to lead vocals, Gosling played piano, guitar, synthesizer, percussion, cello and bass on that album. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2026 Lamar and Rihanna's vocals were present and crisp, and the percussion had plenty of detail. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 So, Snider asked to cut his vocals and guitar first, and then have the band build around it. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026 Since their 2015 live debut on the Sunset Strip, the band has toured regularly with guitarists Depp and Perry relieving Cooper on lead vocals for a couple of Bowie and Johnny Thunders’ tunes every show. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 There will be four original songs on the album, with additional vocals from Academy Award nominee Amanda Seyfried, Rose Gray and Emei and a score by Kris Bowers. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocals
  1. ballads
  2. songs
  3. lyrics
  4. hymns
Noun
  • Its palette is broad, moving from comic to straight rap, from Cab Calloway swing to Beyoncé-style ballads, each idiom chosen for its dramatic purpose.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Compton and Clark weave a folksy Celtic score, packed with thigh-slapping drinking songs, ethereal ballads and soaring earworms.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of ballads
Noun
  • The characters seem to represent facets of brakence’s identity, while the songs on marroW blur the line between diegetic worldbuilding and glimpses of his real life.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Everything comes back to that first album, and those early kickass songs.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of songs
Noun
  • There are also ephemera like posters, budgets, song lyrics, book covers, event flyers and elementary school report cards.
    — Jennifer Rich, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The point is that on Super Bowl Sunday, the NFL is paying Jay-Z to bring his colorful songs and lyrics to his largest audience ever.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of lyrics
Noun
  • At the conclusion of an English-language service interspersed with hymns in Arabic, the priest introduced Salazar, who stood up in the front row, smiling and waving.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 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 hymns

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vocals
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Cite this Entry

“Vocals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocals. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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