instrumentalists

noun

plural of instrumentalist
as in musicians
a person who plays a musical instrument he excels as a conductor, a composer, and as an instrumentalist

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 instrumentalists Love, at 85 years old, is the sole member of the original Beach Boys lineup who still tours under that name, performing all their classic, SPF-friendly hits with younger instrumentalists. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 Even Rodrigo’s backing band, full of absolutely shredding women instrumentalists, played beside her on equal footing for exquisitely tasteful, post-punky revisions of songs across her three albums. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 The announcement could go after the one about what to do if the theater is overrun by period instrumentalists. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 Now 94, Cynthia still entertains with tales of bygone Barbados at the family's regular guest cocktail parties, whilst dinner is underscored by jazz singers and instrumentalists. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 The neighborhood band, a community effort, draws 20 to 30 instrumentalists each year and rehearses just once, 30 minutes before the procession. — Georgia Ross, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026 Asake’s last live outing in North America was his Red Bull Symphonic concert, which transformed many of his fan favorites into reworked orchestral versions backed by classical instrumentalists and Nigerian talking drummers alike. — Emanuel Okusanya, Variety, 26 May 2026 Bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White, the remaining instrumentalists from Yes’ classic ’70s era, contributed little more than scaffolding beneath Horn’s whizbangs. — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 9 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumentalists
  1. musicians
  2. artists
  3. performers
Noun
  • The rapper blazed through an eight-song set in 18 minutes, taking only brief pauses to shout out her backing musicians and, at one point, remark on the lack of Maryland crab cakes in her rider.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Football too is a collective effort, where no player achieves greatness alone; musicians are supported by an entire ecosystem of peers, producers, engineers and creative talent.
    — Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of musicians
Noun
  • Performers weren’t spared either, with several forced to perform in the rain without covering for both artists and their equipment.
    — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The show sought to expand norms of representation—a project whose sincerity all but courts the cringeworthy—with artists hell-bent on deconstructing the drive for beauty, including Orlan, Sara Cwynar, Juno Calypso, and Haley Morris-Cafiero.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of artists
Noun
  • 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
Definition of performers

Browse Nearby Words

instrumentalist
instrumentalists
instrumentalities
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Cite this Entry

“Instrumentalists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumentalists. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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