as in poetry
verse that does not rhyme and does not have a regular rhythm
The author's free verse has a unique rhythmic intensity.
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Recent Examples of free verse
Like family feuds, squabbles among poets are too tedious to recount, but Wiman remembers being accused of commissioning too much prose, of privileging formalism over free verse, and of publishing vicious reviews and vacuous poetry.
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Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023
The book, first published in 1927, is organized according to the calendar, with a passage of free verse that evokes the qualities and pleasures of each month, a small monochrome drawing nearby, and, on the facing page, a full-color illustration of the sort to draw fascinated attention.
—Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
His sentences come out as free verse, a sort of Rust Belt beat poetry.
—Popular Mechanics, 14 Apr. 2023
In The Letters of Thom Gunn, a new, behemoth collection of private correspondence across six decades, Gunn grapples with his states of in-betweenness: between being English and American; between writing free verse and formal verse; between exercising emotion and rationality.
—Jeremy Lybarger, The New Republic, 17 June 2022
See all Example Sentences for free verse 
Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023
The book, first published in 1927, is organized according to the calendar, with a passage of free verse that evokes the qualities and pleasures of each month, a small monochrome drawing nearby, and, on the facing page, a full-color illustration of the sort to draw fascinated attention.
—Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
His sentences come out as free verse, a sort of Rust Belt beat poetry.
—Popular Mechanics, 14 Apr. 2023
In The Letters of Thom Gunn, a new, behemoth collection of private correspondence across six decades, Gunn grapples with his states of in-betweenness: between being English and American; between writing free verse and formal verse; between exercising emotion and rationality.
—Jeremy Lybarger, The New Republic, 17 June 2022
See all Example Sentences for free verse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free verse
Noun
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This is not a proclamation of the obvious, namely that pop is the opposite of poetry.Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
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Kwanzaa celebrations vary, but typically include lighting candles, one per night; placing meaningful items on a traditional woven mat on tables; sharing meals and a karamu feast; poetry; dance and music, according to the Official Kwanzaa website.Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In an interview with Parents magazine in 2020, Duff revealed that Luca wrote a poem about their family and read it aloud at her and Koma's wedding.Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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English Pen, a human rights organization, translated one of her poems to raise awareness.Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Here are five other movies about the magisterial singer-songwriter whose life and lyrics have forever expanded the contours of American music.Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
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In addition to on-screen lyrics for people who aren’t yet off-book, the screenings will feature a special message from stars Arianna Grande and Cynthia Erivo (who has previously come out in favor of audience participation).Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The first assignment was to write a poem in blank verse.Elizabeth Lund, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2024
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Through a stylish mix of prose, blank verse and illustrations, Last on His Feet captures these tensions with unsparing poignancy.Brandon Tensley, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
Noun
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There are these rhymes, there are these resonances, almost little melodies and verses throughout.Nick Newman, IndieWire, 9 Dec. 2024
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Plus, Mikey Day’s emperor rattled off a Hamilton-style rap, with Mescal battling back with a few rhymes before topping him in a floss-off.Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
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John told Lennon if the song ascended to the top of the charts, Lennon would have to join him onstage to sing it.Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
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Although perceived as a vindictive album, Reputation is also a sentimental one, with its fair share of love songs.Lolita Mang, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Free verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free%20verse. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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