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
Santa Margarita’s strength is running the ball with undersized Adrian Petero (5 feet 5, 175 pounds) to set up the pass for quarterback Fletch Palmer, son of coach Carson Palmer. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 As the Dallas Cowboys work through changes to the snap distribution on the defensive side of the ball going into Sunday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers, one position group that will have a big spotlight is the outside linebacker group. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
Coat the mixer bowl in olive oil pam, roll the dough ball around in it, then put in the oven (make sure the oven is off) or put in a ziplock bag until the next day. — Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Sep. 2026 With the Bombers’ bullpen depleted, the junk-balling lefty didn’t allow a baserunner while recording a three-inning save after Cole hit the showers. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 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
  • The Social Reckoning had a tough time making noise at the box office in its opening weekend, spurring debate about the prospects for a spate of 2026 titles examining the tech sphere.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The further ahead the planner looks, the larger that sphere becomes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of sphere
Noun
  • Moments after driving away, the occupants realized Valdes had been struck in the abdomen by a stray bullet.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • A couple of years later, in his major studio debut, Abrams worked alongside Ryan Gosling in Gangster Squad until his shoeshine boy character caught a bullet during a mob ambush near a newsstand.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of bullet
Noun
  • Initially, Jessie’s overriding goal was simply to win back playtime with Bonnie, especially after becoming separated from her during a dance class.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Working with her daughter Rachele Regini, who oversees much of the programming, Chiuri hopes to create a space where theater, dance, music and other disciplines intersect.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of dance
Verb
  • Halpin watched the ball clear the wall in right-center then launched his bat over his head and into the sky before rounding the bases.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Brewers third baseman David Hamilton rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the ninth inning.
    — Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of round
Noun
  • The gas can always be liquefied and exported around the world to an energy-needy globe.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • For well-heeled, globe-trotting diners, Noma offered an escape from modernity and the sensation of communing with something more elemental and earthbound.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of globe
Noun
  • How did a live round get into the revolver and who brought the lethal ammunition to the set?
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The principal and the teacher were hit with ammunition used in 12-gauge shotguns but their injuries weren't life threatening, police said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • The goal is to show off how the high school gym has transformed into a high school prom, with all the stars and tinsel that implies.
    — Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Who are the other girls in the room, and who sent those other girls to the prom, and why?
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of prom
Verb
  • The couple and their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are reportedly living at a private, nonroyal residence in the Cotswolds, a rural area of rolling hills, villages and farms to the west of Oxford.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Generating more pressure could help the Chiefs disrupt the Chargers’ offense and help keep their unbeaten start rolling.
    — Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ball

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