curveball

noun

curve·​ball ˈkərv-ˌbȯl How to pronounce curveball (audio)
: a slow or moderately fast baseball pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and usually to the left when thrown from the right hand or to the right when thrown from the left hand
curveball verb

Examples of curveball in a Sentence

The batter struck out on a curveball.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Koufax was tipping pitches that day, accidentally giving away to the Chicago Cubs whether the heater or his famously arcing curveball was coming. Fred Katz, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 The main driver behind Gilliland’s dominant effort, however, was the use of his curveball. Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025 But that changed in the second half of last year, especially his curveball. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025 Warren goes to his curveball only 4.81% of the time. Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curveball

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curveball was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Curveball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curveball. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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