ball 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈbȯl How to pronounce ball (audio)
Definition of ballnext
1
as in sphere
a more or less round body or mass the little rubber ball used in racquetball a ball of string

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ball

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in dance
a social gathering for dancing a ball to celebrate the inauguration

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ball

3 of 3

verb

as in to round
to form into a round compact mass balled up the paper and threw it at the garbage can

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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
Noun
Dim sum raves transform historic teahouses into energetic spaces where partygoers eat dim sum beneath disco balls. — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 15 July 2026 Kansas City got just a small taste of the magnetic fever over Lionel Messi, the global superstar who is regarded as one of the best ever to kick a ball. — Pj Green july 13, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
Verb
The longevity of the fabric and reduced buildup on the lint trap make the wool ball a better, all-natural alternative to disposable dryer sheets. — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 28 June 2026 Lord described Walter Bedford as the night baker who cannon-balled into the ocean in chapter 6. — Veronica Hinke, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball
  1. sphere
  2. bullet
  3. dance
  4. round
  5. globe
  6. ammunition
  7. prom
  8. roll
Noun
  • According to the agency’s preliminary investigation, the spheres are pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • This, Ciufolini says, means that if our planet were a perfect sphere, frame-dragging would be the sole source for changes in their orbits.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 8 July 2026
Definition of sphere
Noun
  • Roughly a month before Kirk’s killing, Twiggs said Robinson asked for a Dremel, a tool used for sanding or grinding, to engrave bullets for an upcoming family hunting trip.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • One of Robinson's attorneys, Michael Burt, tried to inject uncertainty into the case Thursday by challenging the reliability of ballistics tests on a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk’s body.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of bullet
Noun
  • Satellites perform a delicate dance to maintain their orbit, by locking themselves to a speed just fast enough to counteract the downward pull of gravity.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026
  • Striking is a reproduction of a metallic structure with moving and rotating mechanical parts that reflected Lagerfeld’s Bauhaus influences, with 18 fur coats on display that seem to float and dance.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
Definition of dance
Verb
  • Canada, a little unlucky to lose so heavily, has made history this summer after making the knockout rounds for the first time and will have undoubtedly spread joy and inspired a new generation in the country.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • The Lakers, after agreeing to trade center Deandre Ayton to Washington for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round draft picks on Friday, could look for a backup center and wing defender to round out their roster, which stands at 13.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of round
Noun
  • Data from the hottest matches at the 2014 World Cup — classified using wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), a measure combining temperature, humidity, wind and solar radiation to estimate heat stress on the body — pointed in the same direction.
    — Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • Around West Glacier, the familiar snow-globe imagery gives way to long days, cold lakes, pine shade and the ritual pleasures of camp life.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of globe
Noun
  • State negotiators rejected the idea of allowing ranchers to use rubber bullets and other nonlethal ammunition because some can be confused for real bullets, Fisher said.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • During the Revolutionary War, General Washington worried that British troops were stockpiling weapons and ammunition in the fort and preparing to attack northern colonies.
    — Lane Degregory, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • Kelly Kapowski had just broken up with Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell — and at the prom, of all places!
    — Devon Daniels, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
  • Dunkin’ Prom, which funds alternative proms for teens who may have missed theirs for medical reasons and lastly, grants to customize hospital spaces to create joy.
    — Zuri Primos June 29, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026
Definition of prom
Verb
  • The pessimists will roll their eyes and poo-poo Morant’s outlook.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • There’s also a special cantina food menu, including pizzas, rolled quesadillas, tacos and bowls, according to the menu.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of roll

Phrases Containing ball

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balky
ball
ballad
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Cite this Entry

“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ball

Nglish: Translation of ball for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ball

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