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
Relevance
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
When kuru’s vocals get more monotone, Backstage hologram ornaments the toplines with gorgeous digital keyboard parts that reference the crusty, low-res soundtracks of Nintendo DS-era RPGs like Pokemon Diamond & Pearl.
—
Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
There are soaring layers of harmony vocals, a glistening 12-string-guitar part, driving drum fills that speed the song forward.
—Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
The festival also waited until late March to announce a headlining performance by Neurosis, who timed the news with the surprise release of An Undying Love for a Burning World, the group’s first album since 2016, notably with Aaron Turner from Isis replacing Scott Kelly on vocals.
—David Harris, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
But Burnett was on to something — what may most strike you this time around is the utter sonorousness of Starr’s vocals (not to be confused, of course, with Sonor Drums).
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
In fact, Jimmy Jam says the siblings recorded their vocals in different places, with Michael recording in New York while his younger sister recorded in Minneapolis.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The band members are Kris Bergmann on vocals, John Murphy on vocals and keyboards, Andrew Sage on vocals and guitar, Michael Schomaker on guitar, Dave Bell on bass and Mike Racer on drums.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
The song’s emotional core is unmistakable, with impassioned vocals capturing a sense of longing and vulnerability.
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
In 1977, Vandross introduced Anderson to Rodgers and his writing partner Bernard Edwards, who were forming the then-new group, Chic, with Tony Thompson on drums and Norma Jean Wright on lead vocals.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
There are soaring layers of harmony vocals, a glistening 12-string-guitar part, driving drum fills that speed the song forward.
—Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
The festival also waited until late March to announce a headlining performance by Neurosis, who timed the news with the surprise release of An Undying Love for a Burning World, the group’s first album since 2016, notably with Aaron Turner from Isis replacing Scott Kelly on vocals.
—David Harris, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
But Burnett was on to something — what may most strike you this time around is the utter sonorousness of Starr’s vocals (not to be confused, of course, with Sonor Drums).
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
In fact, Jimmy Jam says the siblings recorded their vocals in different places, with Michael recording in New York while his younger sister recorded in Minneapolis.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The band members are Kris Bergmann on vocals, John Murphy on vocals and keyboards, Andrew Sage on vocals and guitar, Michael Schomaker on guitar, Dave Bell on bass and Mike Racer on drums.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
The song’s emotional core is unmistakable, with impassioned vocals capturing a sense of longing and vulnerability.
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
In 1977, Vandross introduced Anderson to Rodgers and his writing partner Bernard Edwards, who were forming the then-new group, Chic, with Tony Thompson on drums and Norma Jean Wright on lead vocals.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocals
Noun
-
Not that the album can really be divided into ballads and rockers.—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
-
His silky ballads are uniformly thoughtful and well-constructed, but lack the pathos that would give them greater depth and dimension.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The songs were radiant, ecstatic, and cleansing, a deep exhale from a band freed from boardroom expectations.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
Were these new songs recorded at the same time as the first batch?—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The maudlin song, whose lyrics too sincere to be funny, will appear on the group’s upcoming Everyone for Ten Minutes, out May 22.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But the bluntness of the lyrics arrives just as quickly, undercutting the atmosphere by naming too plainly what the music had already begun to evoke with greater force.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The hour-long event included mournful hymns, prayers and the laying of wreaths by the participants, which included representatives from many countries around the world.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Christian hymns were sung in English and Creole.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vocals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocals. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
