assonance
noun
as·so·nance
ˈa-sə-nən(t)s 
1
a
: relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds especially of vowels (as in "rise high in the bright sky")
b
: repetition of vowels without repetition of consonants (as in stony and holy) used as an alternative to rhyme in verse
2
: resemblance of sound in words or syllables
Examples of assonance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The simile is novel and yet the sort of thing a young woman would think; there is assonance and consonance seesawing across the sentence, which is slow and gorgeous rather than quick and thrilling.
—
Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
Near-rhyme, half rhyme, off rhyme, odd rhyme, assonance and identities, slant rhymers and straight rhymers: all of it is potentially compelling, and none of it is a sanctuary from sense.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
At the same time, the poem’s strong slam rhythms, coming in rising and falling waves, with frequent internal rhymes, repetitions, and plays of assonance are strong, effective, unmistakable.
—Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 31 Mar. 2021
The face-off between Beowulf and Unferth plays out like a rap battle, with end-rhymes, slant rhymes, and over-the-top assonance springing the words off the page.
—Irina Dumitrescu, The New York Review of Books, 17 Nov. 2020
The fairy even hovers over Harbart’s suicide, and a similar lighter touch informs the prose, enlivened by assonance and alliteration.
—John Domini, chicagotribune.com, 7 Aug. 2019
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.
Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
Near-rhyme, half rhyme, off rhyme, odd rhyme, assonance and identities, slant rhymers and straight rhymers: all of it is potentially compelling, and none of it is a sanctuary from sense.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
At the same time, the poem’s strong slam rhythms, coming in rising and falling waves, with frequent internal rhymes, repetitions, and plays of assonance are strong, effective, unmistakable.
—Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 31 Mar. 2021
The face-off between Beowulf and Unferth plays out like a rap battle, with end-rhymes, slant rhymes, and over-the-top assonance springing the words off the page.
—Irina Dumitrescu, The New York Review of Books, 17 Nov. 2020
The fairy even hovers over Harbart’s suicide, and a similar lighter touch informs the prose, enlivened by assonance and alliteration.
—John Domini, chicagotribune.com, 7 Aug. 2019
Dictionary Entries Near assonance
Cite this Entry
“Assonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assonance. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
assonance
noun
as·so·nance
ˈas-ə-nən(t)s
: the repetition of vowel sounds but not consonants in words (as "red hen") for poetic effect
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share