ball 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈbȯl How to pronounce ball (audio)
Definition of ballnext
1
as in sphere
a more or less round body or mass the little rubber ball used in racquetball a ball of string

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ball

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in dance
a social gathering for dancing a ball to celebrate the inauguration

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ball

3 of 3

verb

as in to round
to form into a round compact mass balled up the paper and threw it at the garbage can

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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 ball
Noun
In the sequence below, goalkeeper Bernd Leno moves the ball out wide to Jorge Cuenca in frame two. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
So, dust off the Chucks, call up your two best (or tallest) pals, and get ready to ball with the top 3-on-3 squads in the area. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 Suddenly, your main goal becomes cannon-balling straight into Prospect Lake. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball
  1. sphere
  2. bullet
  3. dance
  4. round
  5. globe
  6. ammunition
  7. prom
  8. roll
Noun
  • This is a topic that does not surface in the Jewish Israeli political sphere, unfortunately.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • There’s plenty of bolero inspiration to be found in the celebrity sphere, too.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sphere
Noun
  • However, further investigation revealed that bullet fragments struck both a police officer and the 34-year-old bystander, cops said Friday.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Cap's uniform shows just how big the bullet holes were in each shoulder.
    — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of bullet
Noun
  • The haka, a ceremonial Maori dance performed by the New Zealand rugby union team — and other sides representing that country across different sports — is, in many ways, the iconic image of rugby itself.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Ada comes to the project from a background in contemporary dance.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of dance
Verb
  • Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, urea, and sodium PCA round out the formula by attracting and holding onto water.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Some cabinetry and shelving provide storage, and quartz counters round out the space.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of round
Noun
  • Equal Earth Landmasses are truer to their relative areas, and the rounded shape suggests a globe.
    — Jewel Bright, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Globe lamps use enlarged, globe-shape bulbs to light up a space.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of globe
Noun
  • Relations and exchange programs between Russia and North Korea have been flourishing in recent years, with North Korea supplying ammunitions and troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The franchise’s resolve has been little comfort to many fans who feel this latest indignity is just another chapter in the book of Clippers, and more ammunition for their friends and rivals.
    — Law Murray, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • The prom picture caught the attention of Garner's followers, with one fan calling on the actress to reunite with her former date and recreate the pose.
    — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The past year has been full of milestones for the mother, from Jade’s senior prom to her 18th birthday.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of prom
Verb
  • There are also two front pockets and the option to leave the sleeves up or roll them down.
    — Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But the road will get much more difficult when the Tigers roll into town fresh off a 54-14 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday night.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of roll

Phrases Containing ball

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balky
ball
ballad
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Cite this Entry

“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ball

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