1
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
I'm still in this ball game, so don't count me out yet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ball game
In the effort of a miracle, Madsen threw another interception, all but icing the ball game.
—
Ryan Morik, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2025
Kansas City continues to take one-possession ball games, which have rounded out its NFL-leading 15-1 record.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
However, each of the ball players provides the Yankees with defensive stability, veteran leadership and an entirely different approach on how to win ball games without relying heavily on home runs.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
That won’t happen now because the demographic in America is different, the ball games, those battleground states.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ball game 
Ryan Morik, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2025
Kansas City continues to take one-possession ball games, which have rounded out its NFL-leading 15-1 record.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
However, each of the ball players provides the Yankees with defensive stability, veteran leadership and an entirely different approach on how to win ball games without relying heavily on home runs.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
That won’t happen now because the demographic in America is different, the ball games, those battleground states.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ball game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball game
Noun
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But Kendrick did not have to straddle a white-hot rivalry like Velazquez.—
Matt Baker,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
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While opposed by every government in the region, ISIS-K has exploited insecurity and international rivalries to entrench itself as one of the world's deadliest and most unpredictable non-state actors in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Reflecting on the details of his near-fatal overdose in 2015, the former NBA star shared on The Kyle & Jackie O Show on Monday, January 20, how one drink spiraled into a life-or-death situation.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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And the number of pedestrians 18 or younger fatally struck in school-transportation situations by vehicles other than school buses from 2013 to 2022 is 37 – or nearly four deaths a year – according to NHTSA.—
Carlos Suarez,
CNN,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Rose served in the band from its inception in 1977 to 2017, after Willis regained 50 percent of the copyright to the band in a protracted legal battle.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
20 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, more borrower-friendly regulations for the Borrower Defense to Repayment program remain stuck in a legal battle.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Since that last deal was inked, WNBA coaching salaries have eclipsed $1 million for the first time.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
17 Jan. 2025
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And the luggage deals don’t stop here, though — keep reading for more.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Gaza conflict did raise the Palestinian issue — the long struggle for independence after decades of Israeli occupation and repression — on the world stage.—
Tracy Wilkinson,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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The film doesn’t paint him as a cautionary tale, treat him like a metaphor, or revel in the spectacle of his struggles.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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If your goal is to build a unicorn, don’t waste energy and resources chasing first mover status or merely achieving a product-market fit.—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes,
27 Jan. 2025
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President Donald Trump’s plans to cut taxes, impose hefty tariffs on key imports and deport millions of immigrants who lack permanent legal status have generated unusual uncertainty about the course of the economy, inflation and interest rates.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Howe’s men will share the club record of nine consecutive victories across all competitions with Kevin Keegan’s vintage (May to September 1994) and Rafa Benitez’s Championship-winning side (September to November 2016).—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
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Making better use of A.I., Mr. Burns said, is crucial to the U.S. competition with China.—
Julian E. Barnes,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Other news organizations such as the New York Times and Sky News had stories incorrectly summarized.—
David Phelan,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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This story has been updated with additional information, context, and statements.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ball game
Cite this Entry
“Ball game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball%20game. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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