ballad

noun

ˈba-ləd How to pronounce ballad (audio)
Definition of balladnext
as in song
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 ballad His theory—that the poems must have been patched together much later from various ballads—was not universally accepted. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 The wistful ballad showcased Ronstadt’s powerhouse range, culminating in a breathtaking final note. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026 Pop crossovers, polished ballads and the young seeds of bro-country were what populated the radio, but Church loved harder rock influences, outlaw heroes, and even the Muscle Shoals soul. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026 While sharing her Beauty Secrets with Vogue, the 20-year-old explains that the bittersweet ballad was inspired by a Japanese phrase that means, essentially, everything beautiful is temporary. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ballad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballad
  1. song
  2. hymn
  3. lyric
  4. anthem
  5. vocal
  6. lullaby
Noun
  • Students from Rebel Song Academy, Harmony Project and Base Academy of Music will all take the stage, while Stars Out, a youth performance group, will perform songs connected to Kansas City musicians whose contributions are often overlooked.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • His voice has weathered over the years, but that only added character to songs built on grit and honesty.
    — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of song
Noun
  • The rugby union side’s is ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’, originally an African-American hymn sung by slaves in the United States in the mid-19th century.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • The hymn was dubbed by the NAACP as the Black national anthem in the early 1900s.
    — PJ Green July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of hymn
Noun
  • The lyrics may be sparse with fashion references, but Charli saves plenty of room for clothes in the 42-minute companion film released alongside the album.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
  • Scotland changed its anthem to ‘Flower Of Scotland’ — a folk song written in the 1960s, and whose lyrics take occasional aim at its neighbour and old enemy to the south — across their sports teams in the 1990s.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of lyric
Noun
  • Boy that served as the event’s anthem this time around, remains one of the biggest hits in the world.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • This is about marching behind a singular flag and singing a singular anthem.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of anthem
Noun
  • Petal picks up the thread of 2024’s eternal sunshine, not only in its brushstroke vocals, but in its thematic thread of toxic-relationship songs that act as a Trojan horse for musings on the ultimate toxic relationship of fame.
    — Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
  • Absolutely’s groundedness can, in part, be credited to the journey of creating her second studio album, Paracosm, a dark-leaning, 13-track record that features self-examining lyrics and dynamic vocals, ranging from airy whispers to soaring belts.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Definition of vocal
Noun
  • Reilly, who composed the song wholesale, seems content to swap his Satie-esque irresolution for something straightforwardly plaintive, like a lullaby.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
  • The book will also be accompanied by a forthcoming lullaby written and performed by Mercer, extending the story beyond the page, while the audiobook edition will be narrated by the musician himself.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 15 July 2026
Definition of lullaby

Browse Nearby Words

ball
ballad
ballads
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Cite this Entry

“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballad. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ballad

Nglish: Translation of ballad for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ballad

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