curveball

noun

curve·​ball ˈkərv-ˌbȯl 

: a slow or moderately fast baseball pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and usually to the left when thrown from the right hand or to the right when thrown from the left hand

curveball verb

Examples of curveball in a Sentence

The batter struck out on a curveball.

Recent Examples on the Web

This will give you breathing room to be thoughtful instead of reactive when the next curveball hits. —Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Following a 2020 global pandemic and 2023 Hollywood strikes, the tariff threat reps the third global curveball thrown at Spain’s production shoot business, which has grown dramatically over the last decade, but edged down in 2024. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 14 May 2025

The sun will join forces with change-maker Uranus shortly after on May 17, throwing a curveball at your sense of belonging in the world. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 May 2025

The curveball is slow 77-78 (mph), a slider and a changeup. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing curveball

• throw (someone) a curve/curveball

Rhymes for curveball

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol