1. to modify (a musical rhythm) by stressing the weak beat
Usage: music
2. to shorten (a word) by omitting sounds or letters from the middle
Usage: linguistics

Examples

• Jazz musicians often syncopate their rhythms to create a swinging feel.
• The drummer learned to syncopate the beat in the Latin song.
• Ragtime music is known for its syncopated melodies.
• The word ‘fo’c’sle’ syncopates ‘forecastle’ by dropping middle sounds.
• Some dialects syncopate common words in everyday speech.
• The composer chose to syncopate the main theme throughout the piece.