ballad

noun

ˈba-ləd How to pronounce ballad (audio)
Definition of balladnext
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

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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 Local-language pop ballads and American rap music blast from speakers. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Label Mercury Records took some convincing that the ballad could be successful. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026 The film is directed by David Ayer, a purveyor of wild action flicks and ballads of masculinity; the screenplay is the debut effort of Cameron Alexander. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Then there’s the entertainment team including a pair of dancers who tackle everything from the tango to bachata, a singer who goes for Alicia Keys-style ballads, a jazzy vocalist, and a piano player. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ballad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballad
  1. song
  2. hymn
  3. lyric
  4. anthem
  5. vocal
  6. lullaby
Noun
  • What elevates the greatest album of all time above more standard fodder for pregames and parking-lot smoke seshes is the neon current of romance running beneath its songs.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In a video premiered on Monday, Cardi took over Tiny Desk and brought an eight-song masterclass in breath control, joy, and showmanship.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of song
Noun
  • At a campaign event held at a college chapel in Lindsborg, Hamilton led the crowd in a hymn and did not mention his opponent by name.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • From the beginning, Dolly’s one request of [country singer] Porter [Wagoner] was that she be allowed to include a hymn or a Gospel song in each of their shows.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of hymn
Noun
  • Combining established research on what makes babies happy with the results of infant focus groups, the catchy melody, walking bassline and playful lyrics are almost hypnotic, stopping nascent meltdowns in their tracks.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Roan also adds an new verse to the song, slightly changing the lyrics to reference a mediocre female suitor alongside Rodrigo’s original lines.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of lyric
Noun
  • The inquiry asked about the NBA’s role in the matter, possible discipline and whether the teams would be instructed to be present for the anthem before Wednesday’s Game 3.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There are no fist-pumping anthems, blister-raising leads or Homme’s cool-AF braggadocio at play here.
    — Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of anthem
Noun
  • The smoothness of Knock Knock echoes through the rolling mid-tempo grooves of Stiltz’s unshowy arrangements, featuring drifting pedal steel from Theo Stocks and tasteful embellishments from Ana Roxanne on piano and vocals.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The syrupy strings, treacly piano and awed choral vocals conjure an atmosphere of strained enchantment, suggesting a film burdened by fatal amounts of whimsy and emotional manipulation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of vocal
Noun
  • Gotta be honest, this instrumental version from one of those cover compilations of rock songs done lullaby-style for hipster parents is kind of great.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Reilly, who composed the song wholesale, seems content to swap his Satie-esque irresolution for something straightforwardly plaintive, like a lullaby.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Definition of lullaby

Browse Nearby Words

ball
ballad
ballads
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Cite this Entry

“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballad. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ballad

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