ball 1 of 3

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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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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ball

2 of 3

noun (2)

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
Good luck to the hitters who could recognize a ball out of his hand. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 May 2026 In 2019, Webb pitched one game for the River Cats at Sutter Health Park, tossing seven innings of one-run ball before making his MLB debut five days later. Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
Verb
Some Cypress Village residents are beseeching the city to keep it that way, even as the HOA applies to let the pickle balling resume. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026 Jokic came off a pin-down from Braun to catch on the right wing — again making Gobert chase him around a screen — but air-balled the 3-pointer. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball
Noun
  • In recent months the pouches, which have circulated in social media mentions for some time, have been popping up more frequently in the wellness sphere and in social settings.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 20 May 2026
  • Venus in Cancer is bringing sweeter connections into your social sphere, and friendships could start blooming into something flirty and fun.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • The landscaper may have been hit in the helmet with a bullet though that isn't confirmed, Wahl said.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 19 May 2026
  • Parker was charged in 2024 with eight counts of felony child abuse and disregard for life – one for each bullet in the gun the student used.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • The competitive section contains 26 events across nine disciplines, including athletics, football, gymnastics, weightlifting, martial arts, dance competitions, tug-of-war, and pitch-pot, a traditional Chinese precision game.
    Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
  • Zero proof bars have moved from novelty to nightlife essential, with cities from New York to Asheville now building entire menus, lounges and even dance parties around alcohol-free drinks.
    Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • So, in the abstract, asking EV and PHEV owners to pay their share is not unreasonable, especially since the slightly higher curb weight of these vehicles will do slightly more damage to the roads, although passenger vehicles are a rounding error compared to a garbage truck, bus, or tractor-trailer.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
  • Murray Bartlett, Jon Michael Hill, Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, Nola Wallace and Dolly De Leon round out the cast.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • Mini Kanye West performed on a miniature globe stage alongside Mini Justin Bieber (the real West reposted the performance).
    Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2026
  • SailGP Launches Hong Kong Grand Prix The Rolex SailGP Championship is heading to Hong Kong for the first time as the league unveiled a globe-spanning 13-event calendar for the 2027 season.
    Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • While executing a search warrant at the residence on the 3500 block of Orr Buyck Road, investigators seized several firearms as well as ammunition, according to the sheriff's office.
    Riley Moser, CBS News, 18 May 2026
  • Using live ammunition, soldiers forced their way through crowds that tried to block them from reaching the square.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • As for Avant's senior prom next year, Svala says one school dance was more than enough for her.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
  • That philosophy extends across the property and informs its relationship with the local community, many of whom experienced the hotel through proms, weddings and milestone events over the decades.
    Jesse Scott, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • The woman rolled off on her bike after the encounter.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
  • His camera performs a rousing restoration of the power often stolen from them, ensuring that by the time the credits roll, they’re finally imbued with the kind of divinity only offered to them in name.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 26 May. 2026.

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