1
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
I'm still in this ball game, so don't count me out yet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ball games
At least not as long as the Knicks are winning ball games.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
From sports and ball games to jewelry-making and creative workshops, there is something to delight every child.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Under the old policy, alcohol sales were still prohibited during Burleson Youth Association ball games or practices.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Nov. 2025
After approval from church leadership, chairwoman Lisa Stocco infused the event with more than 20 Gophers football players serving as guest pitchers and coaches for the event’s centerpiece whiffle ball games.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
There have been 74 pitchers who have started at least 440 ball games since 1920, and Kershaw is the only one who hasn’t surpassed triple-digit losses according to Baseball-Reference.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
To start, there are no bicycles or ball games, no mirrors larger than the palm of one’s hand, and almost no personal property.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
From sports and ball games to jewelry-making and creative workshops, there is something to delight every child.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Under the old policy, alcohol sales were still prohibited during Burleson Youth Association ball games or practices.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Nov. 2025
After approval from church leadership, chairwoman Lisa Stocco infused the event with more than 20 Gophers football players serving as guest pitchers and coaches for the event’s centerpiece whiffle ball games.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
There have been 74 pitchers who have started at least 440 ball games since 1920, and Kershaw is the only one who hasn’t surpassed triple-digit losses according to Baseball-Reference.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
To start, there are no bicycles or ball games, no mirrors larger than the palm of one’s hand, and almost no personal property.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball games
Noun
-
The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets will meet again tonight in a matchup that remains one of the NBA's most heated rivalries, even as both franchises enter a rebuilding phase.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, the book spends over 300 pages meticulously detailing abusers, lovers, film schedules, fashion fittings, trips, rivalries and acting lessons.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This makes vocal communication a reliable way — if not the only way — for dolphins to maintain contact with one another, especially when traveling, hunting or navigating social situations.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Such vague commands, the court said, leave agents guessing how to respond during fast-moving protest situations and expose them to possible contempt sanctions.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After stepping through a giant wooden door, tall grass teems with wild Pokémon, adorable critters strike charming poses and battles break out between fierce opponents.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
-
ByteDance’s focus on AI ByteDance also has other battles to fight.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Together, these forces are raising both the volume of deals and the stakes for execution.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The agreement, which would be the first for the EU in Asean, follows numerous such deals Vietnam has inked — including with the US, China, Russia, Japan, India, UK, France and Australia — as its global economic and security role grows.—
Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Teachers’ unions across the state have been in similar struggles with other districts.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The changes come following years of stock price decline, following the Covid-19 pandemic, after delays to major releases and financial struggles.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To wrap up 2025 and her first full year as a pro athlete, Clark shared a collage of pictures, including an adorable one with her boyfriend.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The camera gets pictures and video of coyotes multiple times a week, Routh said.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated January 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The wines have gained recognition in international competitions and among sommeliers and critics.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Adamson spends weekends hosting competitions, refereeing events and helping build a broader robotics community across South Florida.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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To ease that reliance, City have added Antoine Semenyo, a wide forward who can win duels and carry at speed.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Demon Slayer, the first of a series-ending film trilogy, is a master class in hyper-kinetic, violent battles and high-stakes melodrama, in which a sequence of epic duels is intercut with emotional character backstories.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ball games.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball%20games. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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