1
as in sphere
a more or less round body or mass
the little rubber ball used in racquetball a ball of string
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
These Knicks, once again playing a kind of team ball as fine as the city game, didn’t win the team’s first title in 53 years on Wednesday.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Jokic came off a pin-down from Braun to catch on the right wing — again making Gobert chase him around a screen — but air-balled the 3-pointer.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball
Noun
Andy Pages fouled the ball off and Ohtani went back to first.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
These Knicks, once again playing a kind of team ball as fine as the city game, didn’t win the team’s first title in 53 years on Wednesday.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Verb
Some Cypress Village residents are beseeching the city to keep it that way, even as the HOA applies to let the pickle balling resume.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Jokic came off a pin-down from Braun to catch on the right wing — again making Gobert chase him around a screen — but air-balled the 3-pointer.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball
Noun
-
No effort is made to explain how the alien sphere exerts its power, and the book’s core theme, in the end, is the limit of human understanding.—
Ian Mackenzie,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
Reflecting on the early years of riding the rocket ship through the fashion sphere, von Furstenberg recalled traveling from state to state, visiting department store after department store, where the red carpet was rolled out upon her arrival.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Fortunately for the Cubs’ shortstop, Popovich’s aim was as wild as her mane of chestnut hair; one bullet struck his right hand, another struck his left, and a third shot nicked him on the right side, but nowhere near a vital organ.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Twelve people were struck by bullets, including two who were critically injured, during a shooting near a popular neighborhood festival in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday, June 6, city officials said at a news conference.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Likewise, in 2025 contestant Huda Mustafa’s shimmy became a popular dance move that fans posted themselves doing on social.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
The contemporary dance troupe closes out a 20-year run with its final three hometown shows, including works by choreographers Fernando Magadan, Cayetano Soto, Joan Rodriguez, Richard Siegal and Trey McIntyre.—
Arts Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Both on the same team would force some difficult decisions for opposing offenses, especially with Turner, Byron Young and Braden Fiske rounding out the pass rush.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
And nuts — almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts — along with vegetables like artichokes, broccoli and eggplant round out a diet where fiber shows up naturally at breakfast, lunch and dinner.—
Ryan Brennan
June 9,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Dangerous heat and limited cooling Out of the 104 games, 67 of them are being held at locations and times that come with potential danger for heat illnesses, with 39 of those at high risk, according to their historical wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT).—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
4 June 2026
-
Research led by Queen’s University Belfast in Britain used 20 years of meteorological data to assess conditions at host stadiums using wet bulb globe temperature — a measure of heat stress that combines heat and humidity.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
In a search of Jennings’ home after his arrest, authorities found multiple firearms, rifles and dozens of rounds of ammunition.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Gaethje let go of all dignity by targeting that personal drama into fight-week ammunition.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Since the prom was planned quickly, holding the event at CTU headquarters provided ample parking and space for students to dance and eat an Italian dinner.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Nearly two years later, Brunson posted pictures of the two attending their senior prom together in May 2015.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The fifth robot is less effective, rolling onto its side in a trench, and the sixth intercepted by the Russians.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Why Tomato Leaves Curl Leaves on a tomato plant that roll downward or curl inward indicate there may be a problem with the plant.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
