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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Examples of ballast in a Sentence
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Recent Examples on the Web
Two spirits, apple brandy and bourbon, are the ballast, and cinnamon syrup, lemon juice and Angostura bitters are the enliveners.
—
Scott Hocker, theweek, 16 Sep. 2024
These stones have a dual purpose, acting as ballasts to securely anchor the pavilion to the ground, while also creating a moment of wabi sabi.
—Kissa Castaneda, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024
The railroad is taking measures including staging generators, rail ballast and panels, additional diesel fuel, hotels and supplemental transportation for crews.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2024
The chemistry between Murray and co-star Scarlett Johansson, who plays the equally lost and marooned Charlotte, gives the film emotional ballast.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballast 
Scott Hocker, theweek, 16 Sep. 2024
These stones have a dual purpose, acting as ballasts to securely anchor the pavilion to the ground, while also creating a moment of wabi sabi.
—Kissa Castaneda, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024
The railroad is taking measures including staging generators, rail ballast and panels, additional diesel fuel, hotels and supplemental transportation for crews.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2024
The chemistry between Murray and co-star Scarlett Johansson, who plays the equally lost and marooned Charlotte, gives the film emotional ballast.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballast
Noun
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For the Duo, these allow access for driver and passenger, while the Bento sacrifices the rear seat for its cargo box.Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
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Russia is suspected in a plot to place incendiary devices in packages aboard cargo planes bound for the United States and other countries.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased to $40.7 million from $44.6 million, primarily due to lower outbound freight and warehousing expenses.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
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The decision leaves a two major freight rails — Norfolk Southern, and BNSF, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway — in the group of rails that will seek a national deal together.Lori Ann LaRocco, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Zion Off-Road That gives you a pretty solid utility trailer with loads more mounting versatility than average.New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024
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Utilities are scrambling to find ways to power the growing electric load.Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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These include Secure Apps, a tool to apply missing security patches; App Boost, which aims to speed up the loading of common programs; Web Boost, to supercharge your browsing; and the My Home Network security scanner.PCMAG, PCMAG, 3 Oct. 2024
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In the loading dock, a truck drops off a fresh supply of green and maroon caps air-shipped from the company’s factory in Dongguan, China after their stockpile of those colors ran out.Alex Prewitt, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
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If launched normally, and dependent on its payload, this translates into a potential range of up to 9,320 miles (15,000 kilometers), Kwon Yong Soo, an honorary professor at South Korea's National Defense University said, which puts anywhere in America in its range.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
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Interestingly, one of the payloads contained tens of thousands of postcards as part of an educational project organized by Blue Origin’s nonprofit, Club for the Future.Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 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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Opponents say the burden will unfairly shift onto new homeowners, renters and other property holders.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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The burden of justice:Delphi murder case jurors will face unimaginable pressure, life-changing decision Baldwin, his voice raising, said that contradicts Mullin's earlier testimony.Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 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 17 Nov. 2024.
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