as in song
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ballad
The ballad spent five non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 beginning in January 2025, logged 51 weeks in the Top 10, and made history as the first annual Hot 100 Songs #1 duet by a female and male soloist each in lead roles over the chart's 67-year history.
—
Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
In the ballad, the hero is betrayed by his cousin, who bleeds him too severely while administering a blood-letting cure.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
The music video for the ballad, included on the deluxe edition of Cyrus's Something Beautiful, depicts Cyrus in a sculptural Iris van Herpen look that screams avant-garde.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
These events will spotlight traditional musical practices, from Appalachian ballads to gospel choirs, and will feature key composers, musicians, and producers from North Carolina.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballad
Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
In the ballad, the hero is betrayed by his cousin, who bleeds him too severely while administering a blood-letting cure.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
The music video for the ballad, included on the deluxe edition of Cyrus's Something Beautiful, depicts Cyrus in a sculptural Iris van Herpen look that screams avant-garde.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
These events will spotlight traditional musical practices, from Appalachian ballads to gospel choirs, and will feature key composers, musicians, and producers from North Carolina.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballad
Noun
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Coiling through some 16 minutes, 55 seconds, the song was his longest ever, and his only release of original writing since Tempest in 2012.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Musically inclined, Douglas and James both spend time at the keyboard, accompanying themselves on songs that give form to their amorphous inner lives.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This hymn, often referred to as the Black National Anthem, was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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But a few Welsh place names have been added, along with Welsh-language hymns.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Known for his catchy melodies (from heaven), encouraging lyrics, and soulful samples, there was no doubt that his tribute would start the program strong.—
Essence,
Essence,
31 Jan. 2026
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As Santana’s guitar sang through the that night, the emotional crowd erupted into cheers before joining in unison to sing the lyrics.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The spot, set to an iconic sports anthem from a beloved football movie, highlights the preparation, training and competition that defines every athlete’s journey – the same theme Dick’s Team USA ambassadors will bring to life in their social content.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
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And perhaps not much more needs to be said about where one of the most iconic anthems devoted to human kindness lands anew in the current American climate, although much could.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Sombr’s rendition strips the track back emotionally while reshaping it sonically, layering distorted vocals and a driving indie-rock pulse over the song’s core melody.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 Jan. 2026
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The record is heavy on Ketchum’s baritone vocals and electric honky-tonk sound that helped the Train Robbers gain a fanbase in the Pacific Northwest since their 2017 debut, Gravel.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The lullaby your grandmother hummed while shelling white beans into her apron, her voice low enough not to wake the war.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Nov. 2025
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Celebrities and fans in the comments seemed to approve of Scherzinger's move to making lullabies.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballad. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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