as in musicians
a person who plays a musical instrument
he excels as a conductor, a composer, and as an instrumentalist
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Recent Examples of instrumentalists
The sessions were a catalyst from which a collection of cosmically aligned instrumentalists that included Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin, and Thundercat released a rush of envelope-pushing jazz fusion music that both inspired and took inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement.
—
Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Community members of all ages are invited to participate as soloists, duets, small groups or instrumentalists.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The latter features performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, instrumentalists and other creators actively working in the recording industry.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
Among thrash metal’s Big Four, which includes Metallica, Megadeth Slayer, and Anthrax, Megadeth have always stood out for having superb instrumentalists throughout its career.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The nonprofit's competitions are open to junior, intermediate and advanced levels for instrumentalists, vocalists, duets and chamber ensembles.
—Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 20 Jan. 2026
Since Chuck Berry’s first hits, rock’s most famous instrumentalists have been lead guitarists, who step out in front of the band with flashy solos.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2025
Yet, McBride — one of the top instrumentalists and band leaders in all of jazz today — also delivered the goods during his own 75-minute set with his versatile band Ursa Major.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
There may have been better singers, dancers, instrumentalists, performers and visual artists — but absolutely no one combined those talents as vividly as Prince did.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Community members of all ages are invited to participate as soloists, duets, small groups or instrumentalists.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The latter features performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, instrumentalists and other creators actively working in the recording industry.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
Among thrash metal’s Big Four, which includes Metallica, Megadeth Slayer, and Anthrax, Megadeth have always stood out for having superb instrumentalists throughout its career.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The nonprofit's competitions are open to junior, intermediate and advanced levels for instrumentalists, vocalists, duets and chamber ensembles.
—Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 20 Jan. 2026
Since Chuck Berry’s first hits, rock’s most famous instrumentalists have been lead guitarists, who step out in front of the band with flashy solos.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2025
Yet, McBride — one of the top instrumentalists and band leaders in all of jazz today — also delivered the goods during his own 75-minute set with his versatile band Ursa Major.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
There may have been better singers, dancers, instrumentalists, performers and visual artists — but absolutely no one combined those talents as vividly as Prince did.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumentalists
Noun
-
And over the course of three summers, Lilith Fair showcased a powerhouse collection of musicians, including Sheryl Crow, Tracy Chapman, Jewel, Fiona Apple, Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu, Sinead O’Connor and the Indigo Girls.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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Venice’s renowned La Fenice opera house is breaking ties with contentious incoming music director Beatrice Venezi, who has ties to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, following months of protests by musicians.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other artists who were honored included Dolly Parton, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, John Boylan, Leland Sklar, Nicky Hopkins (posthumously) and Flow State collaborators Huff and McDonald.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
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The second floor landing by Blue Brick Design Designer Lara Hovanessian has transformed the foyer walls of both the first and second floors into a striking display for local artists Blakeney, Susanna Speirs Ali and Lareina Holsopple.—
Lisa Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Alaska, Hawaiian are consistent performers The AQR also singled out Alaska Airlines as the steadiest performer in the industry.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instrumentalists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumentalists. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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