as in song
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ballad
For years, the Oscars’ in memoriam segment has been scored with weepy music and sentimental ballads.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Alicia Creti is a vocal powerhouse and her candid ballads stole the show at Billboard House.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
Jonas and Rudd both perform their own catchy versions of ‘How to Write a Song Without You’, the romantic, heartfelt ballad at the center of the film.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
Both have exceptional voices, stern POVs that turbo-charge defiant breakup ballads and the same manager, Nick Shymansky.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballad
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Alicia Creti is a vocal powerhouse and her candid ballads stole the show at Billboard House.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
Jonas and Rudd both perform their own catchy versions of ‘How to Write a Song Without You’, the romantic, heartfelt ballad at the center of the film.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
Both have exceptional voices, stern POVs that turbo-charge defiant breakup ballads and the same manager, Nick Shymansky.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballad
Noun
-
The opening notes of the title song introduced the exquisite complexity that characterized the album as a whole.—
Chris Young,
AJC.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
That song really kind of describes postpartum for me.—
Jamila Mustafa,
VIBE.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The arena filled with the sound of hymns, and the Mass featured Bible readings, Holy Communion and a homily.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In a manner that feels prototypical of the plant’s subsequent valorization across other cultures, the cucumber makes an appearance in the Rigveda, an ancient collection of Sanskrit hymns belonging to the canonical Hindu tradition.—
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His lyrics also call out problems with public services and restrictions on freedom of speech, grievances also voiced by Morocco’s Gen Z protesters last year.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Not squarely in any one genre, the project blends a jazzy score with confessional lyrics and an occasional voice memo from Raye setting the scene.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Every great team needs an anthem to define a memorable season.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Though not everyone knew the words, many—especially older adults—sang along, turning the anthem into a stirring ode to independence.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While still a teen, Dean landed a gig singing backup vocals for the British drum and bass group Rudimental, which led her to self-release music and secure a contract with an EMI subsidiary.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Lebohang Morake — the Grammy-winning South African composer behind the film’s opening Zulu vocals — filed a federal civil complaint in California on March 16 against the comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, alleging that the translation is false and damaging to his life’s work.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Artists help parents identify their childrens' personality traits and habits to create a unique lullaby.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
But curated with rest in mind, this viewing ritual repurposes Hollywood’s highest stage as an on-demand lullaby of entertainment legacy.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballad. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
