as in cargo
heavy material (such as rocks or water) that is put on a ship to make it steady or on a balloon to control its height in the air
—often used figuratively
A large amount of ballast kept the boat from capsizing. She provided the ballast the family needed in times of stress.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of ballast
Once towed into place, ballast tanks at one end flooded and FLIP, well, flipped.
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David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
Many invasive species have been introduced into the lakes through ballast water.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
Upon resurfacing, it was discovered the platform malfunction was caused by an issue with the variable ballast tank, which controlled the submersible’s buoyancy.
—Ray Sanchez and Graham Hurley, CNN, 22 Sep. 2024
Part of the junk’s ballast had been provided by granite gravestones, brought by the migrants from China for use at the end of their lives.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballast 
David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
Many invasive species have been introduced into the lakes through ballast water.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
Upon resurfacing, it was discovered the platform malfunction was caused by an issue with the variable ballast tank, which controlled the submersible’s buoyancy.
—Ray Sanchez and Graham Hurley, CNN, 22 Sep. 2024
Part of the junk’s ballast had been provided by granite gravestones, brought by the migrants from China for use at the end of their lives.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballast
Noun
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If the rear passenger space is modest, the rear cargo space is class leading for a car this size.James Morris, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
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These drones, loaded with an array of seeds, hover over target areas and release their precious cargo.Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That flag drop signals the start of a mad dash to totally disassemble the garage and pack all the equipment onto their respective freights, an operation that extended well into early Monday morning in Doha.Jack Bantock, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
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With protests already scheduled for Thursday and Dec. 10 at the major ports, shippers may have more incentive to shift some ocean freight over the air instead.Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Swapping a pitcher for Hoerner would make a lot of sense for both sides, as long as the Cubs are willing to move quite a load of prospects with Hoerner.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
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In a dashcam video captured in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, one driver experienced a thankfully not deadly, but still frightening ordeal when a load of construction materials fell from a lumber truck driving on the overpass above.Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The more precise moving companies can be in their loading and unloading of office or industrial components, the more quickly they can be redeployed in their new locations.Anar Mammadov, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
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If a cancellation or delay was under the airline's control, such as maintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading and fueling, there are certain amenities that passengers can claim.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Also flying were payloads for Astranis Space Technologies and Gravity Space headed for geostationary orbits.Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024
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The launch, which carried a 300-kilogram payload—the heaviest ever for Iran—included an 'orbital propulsion system' and the Fakhr-1 satellite, reportedly for military use.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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One example can be as simple as shipments that are missing bills of lading or origin documents.Forbes, Forbes, 1 June 2021
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According to bills of lading and other records provided to the San Antonio Express-News by officials at 23 food banks, CRE8AD8 delivered about 147,000 boxes total to food banks.Tom Orsborn, ExpressNews.com, 1 July 2020
Noun
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Reform mental health treatment to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system.Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Dec. 2024
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Trump's pledge to lower interest rates and ease financial burdens on American families faces an uncertain future as many economists predict that interest rates may remain elevated for the foreseeable future.Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That represented 68% of the vessels when measured by deadweight, and the lowest number of tankers tracked with IG club insurance, surpassing 67% uninsured recorded in July and August.Lori Ann LaRocco, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024
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Getting rid of deadweight and dealing with unsatisfactory situations will lighten your burden and make room for investing more time in yourself and what brings you joy.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ballast
Cite this Entry
“Ballast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballast. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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