knuckleball

noun knuck·le·ball \ ˈnə-kəl-ˌbȯl \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of knuckleball

: a slow baseball pitch that moves erratically and unpredictably and that is thrown with little spin by gripping the ball with the knuckles or the tips of the fingers pressed against the top

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knuckleballer

play \ˈnə-kəl-ˌbȯ-lər\ noun

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Recent Examples of knuckleball from the Web

The Braves supposedly wanted Uecker in 1967 to catch Phil Niekro's knuckleball.

— jr radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "50 year ago this week, Atlanta Braves insisted they weren't cutting Bob Uecker as punishment," 6 Apr. 2018
There are reasons to worry about all three as perimeter shooters long-term as Barrett shoots a bit of a knuckleball, Reddish’s mechanics are a bit of a mess, and Williamson is viewed as almost a non-threat from outside.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "Is the NBA Looking at a Talent Drought in 2019? The Early Returns Aren’t Good," 28 Mar. 2018
Still, the Vikings' chances were few and far between until Trujillo broke through with her knuckleball of a header.

— grant gordon, latimes.com, "Flintridge Sacred Heart soccer shocked by Valencia in first round," 16 Feb. 2018
Cristiano Ronaldo has seemingly ditched his signature 'knuckleball' free-kick for a more conventional set-piece.

— SI.com, "VIDEO: Cristiano Ronaldo Shows Off New Free-Kick Routine Against Alaves," 8 Oct. 2017
Vinatieri booted a low knuckleball that literally hit the crossbar on its way over.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Chuck Pagano brain-freeze costs Colts chance to beat Bills in blizzard," 10 Dec. 2017
And the unhittable knuckleball resulting from a Wiffle ball lobbed with its perforations toward the batter is a natural effect of the uneasy balancing act being performed by these competing effects of internal and external aerodynamics.

— jenn stroud rossmann, The Atlantic, "The Contentious Physics of Wiffle Ball," 15 Sep. 2017
It is expected to move southeast, lose its already minimal hurricane status, then behave like a knuckleball, curving toward the northwest before regaining its Category 1 hurricane strength on Thursday, with peak winds of 75 to 80 mph.

— anthony r. wood, Philly.com, "Surf's up at Shore, but believe nothing yet about Jose," 12 Sep. 2017
Then a scout named Goldie Holt showed him how to throw a knuckleball.

— tyler kepner, New York Times, "How Kenley Jansen Went From Minor League Catcher to Major League Closer," 18 Oct. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knuckleball.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.