1
as in sphere
a more or less round body or mass
the little rubber ball used in racquetball a ball of string
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bullet
a usually round or cone-shaped little piece of lead made to be fired from a firearm
found a cache of musket balls while excavating the old fort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ball
Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
The shot is a heavy metal ball about the size of a grapefruit, and the goal is to hurl it as far as possible with an action that looks more like shoving than throwing.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
The Knicks had a chance to cut Phoenix’s lead down to just four with under a minute left in regulation, but Karl-Anthony Towns air-balled a wide-open three at the top of the key.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball
Noun
His 2013 novel, Sudden Death, about the forces that shaped Renaissance-era Europe, revolves around a fictional tennis match between the Italian painter Caravaggio and the Spanish poet Francisco de Quevedo, who face off with a ball fabricated from Anne Boleyn’s hair.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
The shot is a heavy metal ball about the size of a grapefruit, and the goal is to hurl it as far as possible with an action that looks more like shoving than throwing.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
The leaders on the team can ball, too.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
The Knicks had a chance to cut Phoenix’s lead down to just four with under a minute left in regulation, but Karl-Anthony Towns air-balled a wide-open three at the top of the key.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball
Verb
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Paris Baguette rounds out the experience with coffee and delicate pastries.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Jackson will appear in a supporting role, with Rose rounding out the ensemble.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once the ball starts rolling, assemble the right crew.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Specifically, a series of hydrogen leaks and then an unexpected problem getting helium to flow to the upper portion of the launch vehicle led to a series of delays and ultimately a decision to roll the rocket back off its launchpad.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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