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
But that initial twist was far from the drama's only curveball.
—
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Good time for a curveball, right?
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
The right-hander features a fastball that can reach the upper-90’s as well as a curveball, slider and splitter in his arsenal.
—James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
The board could also throw a curveball — and hire someone from the outside.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curveball
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.
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Good time for a curveball, right?
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
The right-hander features a fastball that can reach the upper-90’s as well as a curveball, slider and splitter in his arsenal.
—James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
The board could also throw a curveball — and hire someone from the outside.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curveball
Cite this Entry
“Curveball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curveball. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share