as in bundles
a large amount of a material (such as hay or wool) that is pressed together tightly and often tied or wrapped
a bale of cotton/paper
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Recent Examples of bales
The artificial ice would be surrounded by bales of hay to provide a safety barrier for skaters.
—
Cary Goodman, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
The crew of the Joseph Napier recovered 29 bales from the water.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Cotton was a big crop in Savannah before the Civil War, with the city exporting more than half a million bales of cotton a year.
—Jim Halley, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
In terms of exports, the only change over 100,000 bales was for Mali (-150,000 bales to 900,000).
—Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Some used the money to buy new bales or machinery, or to help their family through that moment.
—Bella Webb, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
An employee dove between two metal bales that surround the facility to quickly carry a customer who had been burned to safety.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Departing from Greenbank Station in Wilmington, this ride trades traditional passenger cars for flatbed railcars lined with hay bales, giving travelers the feel of an open-air hay wagon.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
Dressed as Pokémon characters, third-year attendees Bryan and Sheri Allbaugh were taking pictures by the festive hay bales with their daughter, Lith.
—Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Cary Goodman, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
The crew of the Joseph Napier recovered 29 bales from the water.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Cotton was a big crop in Savannah before the Civil War, with the city exporting more than half a million bales of cotton a year.
—Jim Halley, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
In terms of exports, the only change over 100,000 bales was for Mali (-150,000 bales to 900,000).
—Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Some used the money to buy new bales or machinery, or to help their family through that moment.
—Bella Webb, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
An employee dove between two metal bales that surround the facility to quickly carry a customer who had been burned to safety.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Departing from Greenbank Station in Wilmington, this ride trades traditional passenger cars for flatbed railcars lined with hay bales, giving travelers the feel of an open-air hay wagon.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
Dressed as Pokémon characters, third-year attendees Bryan and Sheri Allbaugh were taking pictures by the festive hay bales with their daughter, Lith.
—Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bales
Noun
-
According to Shively, shoppers may find rose bunches, mixed seasonal blooms, greenery bundles, or classics like carnations; the flowers available depend on the store.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Izba Spa is a Russian banya in Denver that includes a massage therapist who pours water and essential oils over the hot rocks so the room is filled with steam and then uses bundles of oak leaves to move the steam.—
Mindy Sink,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Each pack contains 20 wet wipes, and with 10 packages in the box, there’s plenty for your Disney vacation.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The company said in the release that affected employees were offered compensation packages based on years of service.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In tubs, tablets, and grab-and-go packets, electrolytes are having a moment.—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Players, as part of the application process, had the option of sending in videos to supplement their packets.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Managing airflow, structural loads, and engine performance in this regime requires careful testing, which is why developers typically expand speed limits gradually during early flight campaigns.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The lobby, with its bar, vintage photo booth, and live event space, acts as the hotel’s social heartbeat with loads of good company.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Saudi Arabia has increased crude loadings in recent weeks, and strategic petroleum reserves held by major consuming nations like China, could provide some temporary cushioning to the market, Rystad Energy said in a note Sunday.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The threat environment alone is enough to deter loadings and prompt diversions at the margin.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Burton notes that the foundation also distributes snack packs and other practical resources that address everyday needs students may encounter during the school day.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
These Kleenex tissue packs can be used for runny noses, watery eyes, and to wipe your mouth.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Enjoy $5 craft drafts and seltzers, $1 popcorn and $3 burgers.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Broncos have taken two offensive linemen — Alex Forsyth and Nick Gargiulo — in Payton’s three drafts in Denver, and never used more than a seventh-round pick on their front.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bales. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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