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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 game
However, installing many small, disparate tiles in this area is a whole different ball game, both practically and aesthetically.
—
Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
The director is the whole ball game.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
There’s plenty to love about the ball game in For the Love of the Game, and Raimi’s love of baseball comes through in the sports sequences.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
To be fair, building a relative handful of batteries for a low-volume motorcycle is a whole different ball game from, say, Toyota having to validate and stand behind thousands or millions of car batteries under warranty.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball game
Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
The director is the whole ball game.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
There’s plenty to love about the ball game in For the Love of the Game, and Raimi’s love of baseball comes through in the sports sequences.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
To be fair, building a relative handful of batteries for a low-volume motorcycle is a whole different ball game from, say, Toyota having to validate and stand behind thousands or millions of car batteries under warranty.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball game
Noun
-
But their rivalry continued as Zayn got back at Williams by dressing up as the gingerbread man and attacking the champion.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
While the Irish and Trojans will miss each other on the field, the rivalry has now turned sibling style with the younger Tuihalamaka picking the Trojans.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Cleveland still has a lot of pressure to win Game 4 at home, and Detroit is still the clear favorite to advance, but facing a close finish in a must-win situation, Harden delivered.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
At the same time, Walmsley went on, situations like the one in Arcadia are forcing an industry-wide reckoning.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The project is particularly acrimonious, drawing out geographical battles between north and south and thorny fights between officials who want to build the tunnel and environmentalists and Delta residents seeking to protect the local ecosystem and their way of life.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Without losing a man or a ship, Dewey’s squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in the first American naval battle against a foreign power in almost five decades.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
With Curtis Jones soon entering the final year of his contract and facing an uncertain future, Mac Allister out of form, Wataru Endo injured and also approaching the last season of his deal, and Trey Nyoni expected to go out on loan, the need for greater competition is clear.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
For example, say the Heat were to instead pursue Lauri Markkanen perhaps with Kel’el Ware and Tyler Herro as the hook and then learn those two components could have closed a Giannis deal?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
With another o-for in the books, the impending free agent declined to talk about his struggles following Monday’s game.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
-
In the aftermath, Mad's sister, Annabel, becomes a recluse, and Mad struggles to keep the family's bar afloat as the sisters become the center of damaging gossip.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Neither Bueckers nor Fudd has publicly updated their relationship status since the April draft.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Unlike Timber rattlesnakes, which are listed as endangered, copperheads are not given the same status.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Friendly competition is part of the fuel for starter Davis Martin.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
The concept of everyone coming together for one evening — and pausing their competition for the good of the overall TV business — had some legs.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Galvin later confronted the man who had messaged Kianna, who told her several different stories, according to Childs’ report.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ball game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball%20game. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
