as in accent
the attractive quality of speech or music that rises and falls in a pleasing pattern
There was a charming lilt to her voice. a tune with a lilt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lilt
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 28 July 2024
Higher quality wines are layered and complex with aromas and flavors that include bread dough, brioche, nuttiness and a creamy caramel/toffee/butterscotch lilt that is both remarkably satisfying and begging to be paired with rich food.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
Lauren Herstik Chantal Anderson, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023
Their small sounds and snuffles were barely audible above the lilting bleeps of incubators in the neonatal ward.
—Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Noun
His gentle south Welsh lilt has survived a decade in England.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 28 July 2024
Higher quality wines are layered and complex with aromas and flavors that include bread dough, brioche, nuttiness and a creamy caramel/toffee/butterscotch lilt that is both remarkably satisfying and begging to be paired with rich food.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
Rides spun in time to lilting carnival music by the Los Angeles composer Daniel Wohl.
—Lauren Herstik Chantal Anderson, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023
Their small sounds and snuffles were barely audible above the lilting bleeps of incubators in the neonatal ward.
—Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for lilt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lilt
Noun
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With refined temple details and red-and-gold accents that are a calling card of Louboutin, who can resist?—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2025
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Architect and interior designer Rafael de Cárdenas is behind the vision: a minimalist approach with artistic accents; upon entrance, visitors are immediately greeted by a colossal, 12-foot Vanessa Beecroft sculpture.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This is not a musical where senior citizens walk on stage and croon heartily to advise the next generation.—
David John Chávez,
The Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2025
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He’s joined by three women, one crooning into a microphone while the others engage in a deep conversation.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There’s a certain cadence to that that takes months or years.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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While Gone Girls does move chronologically through the years of the case, it’s not motivated by an investigative cadence.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The whole montage was respectful and gracious, with a classical score, rather than a pop chipmunk warbling a sensitive ballad about dead people.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2025
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Peggy Seeger’s 1957 recording of it is a brisk, warbling take with arpeggiated acoustic guitar — a classic example of the kind of carefree-songbird tunes from the early folk revival.—
Ben Sisario,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At the Clubhouse, day-to-night transitional lighting helps passenger’s align their circadian rhythms for a restful journey.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Jose Altuve is the only Astro in any sort of offensive rhythm, but even that comes with a caveat.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The world’s second-largest economy continues to face a range of challenges, from job insecurity among the younger generation to sharp downturns in the property sector, once a cornerstone of the country’s economic growth.—
Hassan Tayir,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
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The former president's endorsement process has evolved from haphazard to sharp and effective, rendering all other endorsements all but obsolete.—
Kaleigh Rogers,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Their voices hum together and, in those moments, Mazzoli’s music is both beautiful and disturbing.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
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Near the entrance of the building's nave, a triptych of towering black computer servers are humming loudly.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Her soft-focus voice floats over trilling mandolin picking and reserved fiddle.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
10 Mar. 2025
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Sardi’s, so synonymous with that time on Broadway, is bathed in a golden glow, the piano trilling through its empty space.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lilt. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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