Meaning & use
syncopation
A rhythm created by stressing a beat that is usually unstressed, disrupting the expected regular pattern.
See it in a sentence
The song's syncopation makes it hard to clap along on the obvious beat.
Ragtime piano is known for its playful syncopation and rolling left-hand rhythms.
A note on using this word
Central to genres like jazz, ragtime, and funk, where off-beat accents create rhythmic tension and drive.
Words with a similar meaning
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