ball 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈbȯl How to pronounce ball (audio)
Definition of ballnext
1
as in sphere
a more or less round body or mass the little rubber ball used in racquetball a ball of string

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bullet
a usually round or cone-shaped little piece of lead made to be fired from a firearm found a cache of musket balls while excavating the old fort

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ball

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in dance
a social gathering for dancing a ball to celebrate the inauguration

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ball

3 of 3

verb

as in to round
to form into a round compact mass balled up the paper and threw it at the garbage can

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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 ball
Noun
Zabi almost capped his 15-minute masterclass with a goal, nicking the ball deep inside his own half and running 60 yards with the ball, slotting his finish marginally wide. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 For the defense, that means having all 11 players on the field swarming toward the ball on every play and having sound communication. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Suddenly, your main goal becomes cannon-balling straight into Prospect Lake. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026 The rayon-spandex knit is soft, stretchy, and virtually wrinkle-proof, so it can be balled into the corner of a tote bag as a backup outfit and still look fine at dinner. — Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball
  1. sphere
  2. bullet
  3. dance
  4. round
  5. globe
  6. ammunition
  7. prom
  8. roll
Noun
  • An inflatable sphere not only cannot tip over, but the form factor also insulates its internal components from sharp rocks, dust, and the huge temperature swings from over 93 °C in sunlit spots to minus 240 °C in the shade inside lunar craters.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier this year a behind-the-scenes spat between Hardy, screenwriter Jez Butterworth and producer David Glasser spilled into the public sphere when it was claimed Hardy had been fired from the show.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of sphere
Noun
  • Before striking Maccani, the bullet also grazed the hand of the supervisor, Sgt.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • One bullet caused a relatively minor wound, but at such close range, the second was a direct shot to the president’s abdomen.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of bullet
Noun
  • New York City just got a little more sparkly, as Harry Styles kicked off the 30-date residency of his global Together, Together tour at Madison Square Garden, turning the Manhattan arena into the ultimate dance club for the next two months.
    — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Capacity of growing and pursuing a professional career in dance isn’t holding me back.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of dance
Verb
  • The walls are finished in shiplap, while wooden beams round out the space, giving it a subtly cottage-like appearance.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans and Stephen Graham round out the cast.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of round
Noun
  • Seeing the world through old maps The Osher Map Library, at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, is home to half a million rare maps, globes and atlases, dating as far back as the 15th century.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Despite its globe-trotting kidnapping plot, much of the movie’s tension comes down to people in rooms trying to persuade an old man to part with his money.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of globe
Noun
  • Ukrainian officials said the strike, which marks the deadliest Russian attack in Ukraine so far this year, hit an ammunition storage facility in the village of Myla, triggering fires and explosions.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This is a high-purity form of antimony which has defense uses, particularly in primers, ammunition and pyrotechnic compositions.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • The prom picture caught the attention of Garner's followers, with one fan calling on the actress to reunite with her former date and recreate the pose.
    — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The past year has been full of milestones for the mother, from Jade’s senior prom to her 18th birthday.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of prom
Verb
  • The Sequoits made the defensive adjustment, however, hit some big plays with running back Gavin Stone and rolled to a 34-21 nonconference victory at Lake Zurich on Friday.
    — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Can this connection roll with an unforeseen professional development that’s unfolding?
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of roll

Phrases Containing ball

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balky
ball
ballad
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Cite this Entry

“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ball

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