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
Relevance
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
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
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026
The ball flew in, touching the top of the rectangle and turning it red.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
The bad news for local college basketball fans is that Crutchfield – according to multiple sources – has declined to interview for the job at FIU due to the changing landscape of NCAA Division I ball.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball
Noun
In Game 1 on Wednesday Vacha tossed 6 innings of scoreless ball scattering 4 hits while striking out 10 and walking 2 in Martin’s 6-2 win.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026
The ball flew in, touching the top of the rectangle and turning it red.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Verb
That’s where the fire-balling Doval could loom large.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
The bad news for local college basketball fans is that Crutchfield – according to multiple sources – has declined to interview for the job at FIU due to the changing landscape of NCAA Division I ball.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball
Verb
-
The film will mark Sendijarević’s English-language debut and is expected to round out its international cast in the coming months.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), Emma Ho (The Baker), Noah Alexander Sosnowski (Section 8) and Gabriel Barbosa (May December) round out the cast.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The ball rolled away, but third-base coach Borg held Gilbert at third, despite Gilbert having more than enough speed to score.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
-
Getting things rolling Walt Disney World is reviving two roller coasters, starting May 3 with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
