speed·ball
ˈspēd-ˌbȯl 
1
slang
: a dose of cocaine mixed with heroin or morphine or an amphetamine and usually taken by injection
2
: a game which resembles soccer but in which a ball caught in the air may be passed with the hands and in which a score is made by kicking or heading the ball between the goalposts or by a successful forward pass over the goal line
3
: one that is outstandingly fast
speedballed; speedballing; speedballs
Examples of speedball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
After a brief stint of sobriety, Belushi relapsed during the filming of the 1981 black comedy Neighbors and was found dead of a speedball (a caustic mixture of cocaine and heroin) overdose in his Chateau Marmont bungalow by his fitness trainer and bodyguard Bill Wallace on March 5, 1982.
—Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 6 July 2023
Perry’s first film was 1988’s A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, starring River Phoenix, who died from a speedball of heroin and cocaine in 1993.
—Sarah Hepola, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
The fatal speedball shot was given to Belushi by drug dealer Cathy Smith who was later arrested and convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the comedian’s untimely death after being extradited from Canada.
—Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 6 July 2023
And like most drugs, this speedball doesn’t come cheap.
—Tanner Bowden, Outside Online, 18 Aug. 2022
Some 18 months later, the 27-year-old Neo-expressionist master died from a speedball overdose.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021
One of the latest transplant recipients is the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye, a 797-hp speedball of nostalgia and excess.
—Maxwell B. Mortimer, Car and Driver, 23 Nov. 2020
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.
Noun
For years, the identity of the mysterious speedball pitcher was the source of much rumor and speculation in New Jersey, and throughout the Springsteen fan community.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
After a brief stint of sobriety, Belushi relapsed during the filming of the 1981 black comedy Neighbors and was found dead of a speedball (a caustic mixture of cocaine and heroin) overdose in his Chateau Marmont bungalow by his fitness trainer and bodyguard Bill Wallace on March 5, 1982.
—Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 6 July 2023
Perry’s first film was 1988’s A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, starring River Phoenix, who died from a speedball of heroin and cocaine in 1993.
—Sarah Hepola, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
The fatal speedball shot was given to Belushi by drug dealer Cathy Smith who was later arrested and convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the comedian’s untimely death after being extradited from Canada.
—Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 6 July 2023
And like most drugs, this speedball doesn’t come cheap.
—Tanner Bowden, Outside Online, 18 Aug. 2022
Some 18 months later, the 27-year-old Neo-expressionist master died from a speedball overdose.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021
One of the latest transplant recipients is the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye, a 797-hp speedball of nostalgia and excess.
—Maxwell B. Mortimer, Car and Driver, 23 Nov. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Speedball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speedball. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share