stress ball

noun

: a small ball or other object made of soft material (such as rubber) that one can squeeze with the hand to relieve stress and that usually resumes its original shape when released

In one study, sixth-graders who used stress balls were less distracted in class. The toys could also be more helpful for some people than others; in that study, students who were kinesthetic learners tended to use the stress balls more, and get more of an attention benefit from them.

—Julie Beck

The idea for using a stress ball is to transfer your stress, tension and anxiety into the ball by squeezing it as best you can, and then release. The ball's job is to absorb it all! Unlike paper that you wad up tightly in your hand, the ball quickly returns to its original shape when the pressure is released.

—Kim Harris

Finally, it was time to meet the one who instigated this comparison. The day McDonald's was delivered, we received a package with score cards, a stress ball in the shape of a burger and the laminated photo you see next to the meal.

—Anne Marie Panoringan

Examples of stress ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another gripped a yellow stress ball throughout his testimony. — Stepheny Price , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026

The restaurant also hands out custom Knicks’ stress balls to customers. — Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 2 June 2026

Simple stress relievers like stress balls and essential oil diffusers will help dad alleviate some of the day’s stressors. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

NeeDohs are squishy toys that come in an array of sizes and colors, giving a whole new meaning to the classic stress balls people have used for decades. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026

NeeDohs are squishy toys that come in an array of sizes and colors, giving a whole new meaning to the classic stress ball. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026

Panic pouches contain personalized self-help items to promote a sense of calm, and can include things like fidget spinners, stress balls, and essential oils. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Elevated desk accessories like this stone puzzle are far more elegant than a fidget spinner or foam stress ball. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Mar. 2026

Each user is paired with a colorful, simple-looking cartoon alien with sour-worm hair and a physique reminiscent of a stress ball. — Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stress ball

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale