syncopated

adjective

syn·​co·​pat·​ed ˈsiŋ-kə-ˌpā-təd How to pronounce syncopated (audio)
ˈsin-
1
: cut short : abbreviated
2
: marked by or exhibiting syncopation
syncopated rhythm

Examples of syncopated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Gordon acts with his entire body (his heavy, syncopated gait is a kind of dance) but, especially, with his hands, which are as eloquent as his (or anyone else’s) voice. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024 In a transitional syncopated phase, authors used some symbolic notation, but algebraic ideas were still presented mainly rhetorically. Peter Schumer, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023 But that strutting, syncopated vocal style really showed up in your music after hip-hop went mainstream. Spin Staff, SPIN, 14 June 2023 The second woman comes back, and there’s fantastic ensemble choreography—once again, very syncopated, very fast. Sam Needleman, The New York Review of Books, 10 June 2023 Nearby, a drummer and pianist locked into a syncopated groove, following the beat of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who was conducting while seated on an elevated platform. Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2023 His voice could convey flirtatiousness, amusement, heartache or wily agility, and his syncopated phrasing was as close to jazz as to traditional blues, leaping easily into falsetto or letting loose a vulpine howl. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2022 Samba, the syncopated style created by Brazil’s African slaves, has become synonymous with Lula supporters. Ana Ionova, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2022 Occasionally, they are backed by soaring orchestral scores or a chorus of haunting syncopated breaths. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'syncopated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of syncopated was in 1665

Dictionary Entries Near syncopated

Cite this Entry

“Syncopated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syncopated. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

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