as in symphonies
a usually large group of musicians playing together
plays oboe in the local symphony orchestra
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Recent Examples of symphony orchestras
After its fire-bombing, Tokyo founded a bevy of symphony orchestras as a phenomenal experiment in mass antidepression.
—
Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
She’s made concert appearances at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, on four PBS specials, and with over 200 symphony orchestras worldwide.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Some symphony orchestras started early.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
Today, he's based in New York and his work is performed by jazz and classical musicians alike, including Randy Brecker, Antonio Sanchez and Daniel Gauthier, as well as symphony orchestras.
—Leila Fadel, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
Those who can’t make it to Clarksdale can check out Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues tour, a multimedia concert that merges the music of the Delta blues with symphony orchestras around the country.
—USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
As a violinist, Cristi spent several years as a member of the Miami and Houston symphony orchestras and seems to have a special affinity for those musicians seated in front of him.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2025
Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
She’s made concert appearances at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, on four PBS specials, and with over 200 symphony orchestras worldwide.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Some symphony orchestras started early.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
Today, he's based in New York and his work is performed by jazz and classical musicians alike, including Randy Brecker, Antonio Sanchez and Daniel Gauthier, as well as symphony orchestras.
—Leila Fadel, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
Those who can’t make it to Clarksdale can check out Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues tour, a multimedia concert that merges the music of the Delta blues with symphony orchestras around the country.
—USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
As a violinist, Cristi spent several years as a member of the Miami and Houston symphony orchestras and seems to have a special affinity for those musicians seated in front of him.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symphony orchestras
Noun
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In addition to leading symphonies in San Francisco and Miami, Thomas also served as music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic in New York, principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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At least two symphonies are performing in Hartford and Bridgeport.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Blind auditions are a standard for orchestras, where the musicians perform behind a screen or closed doors so that race, gender and size are not a factor.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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Networks often embraced these musicians as guests on programs and even as employees who led and played in network orchestras.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symphony orchestras.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symphony%20orchestras. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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