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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
First, quarterback Darian Mensah floated a ball down the sidelined for Elija Lofton. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026 Suddenly coaches accustomed to studying ball-screens, became paralegals. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
Dixon-Wyatt is deservedly locked in that spot, while Simms balled it in his 20 snaps, catching four passes for 72 yards despite missing some time during the game due to injury. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Coat the mixer bowl in olive oil pam, roll the dough ball around in it, then put in the oven (make sure the oven is off) or put in a ziplock bag until the next day. — Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Sep. 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
  • Under the right conditions, the sheets close in on themselves, forming a sphere with a pocket of water trapped inside.
    — Perri Thaler, Quanta Magazine, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Conrad is elated to see Ashe back in the public sphere in such a significant way.
    — Josh Glicksman, Billboard, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of sphere
Noun
  • No children or school employees were injured, but a man from Mexico without legal status and an ICE agent were struck by bullets.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Tom is wearing a leather jacket with bullets around his neck on the first album cover.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of bullet
Noun
  • The show focuses on teaching kids how to process and cope with big emotions, as well as language and social skills, through music and dance.
    — Parents, Parents, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But by 1993, as prominent radio stations transitioned from dance-pop to hip-hop and R&B, the freestyle movement fizzled out.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of dance
Verb
  • Complimentary white-glove delivery, a 365-night sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty round out the perks of this high-end buy.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Magnesium construction, weather sealing, and a large lens library round out the package.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of round
Noun
  • His innovative menus might be inspired by both his German upbringing and world travels, but that doesn’t mean trying to fit the entire globe in one menu.
    — Nathan Tavares, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • He was known for his love of globes, often photographed posing with them, according to The Post.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of globe
Noun
  • Ukraine’s general staff said Monday that Russia’s military had bolstered its drone defenses and replenished ammunition supplies in the area during the ceasefire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • During the search, officers allegedly found an AK-47 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, over 350 rounds of ammunition and 40 bags of fentanyl, police said.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of ammunition
Noun
  • Murray rocked a royal rewear of his Prince Charming costume from the teen rom com, escorting his wife Sarah Roemer to a prom at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County oncology department.
    — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In August 2017, Kate shared a throwback photo of the two of them attending prom together in their teenage years.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of prom
Verb
  • The highest attrition occurred during the program's seven-week first phase — which includes Hell Week — where 66% of candidates were removed or rolled into another class.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • YouTube has launched Stations, letting creators run always-on channels for rolling longer-form content.
    — Annie Corser, Vogue, 5 Nov. 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 11 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ball

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