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
Alejandro Kirk followed and hit a ball to the warning track in right field. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 The other side of the ball gave up the third most points in the NFL, most rushing yards and second most total yards. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 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
  • Beyond the commercial sphere, Seoul’s institutional scene is developing.
    — Payal Uttam, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Either way, civilizationism would prescribe a more consistent strategy of military withdrawal from the region, a tack tantamount to tolerating Chinese hegemony in its sphere.
    — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 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
  • How has the new kid become the most popular guy in school after a dance-floor meltdown witnessed by the senior class?
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • This sets off a complex dance between the ocean and the atmosphere, which leads to weather impacts all over the world.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 27 Aug. 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
  • Both Heintz and Moser posted Instagram pictures of themselves in happier times, 11 weeks ago, going to a high school prom.
    — David K. Li, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Two teenagers are taking their creativity to the next level with impressive prom dress and prom tux creations, both made out of duct tape.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 12 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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