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
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
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
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The impact of geopolitics has surged, with national interests and strategic rivalries once again shaping global affairs and impacting business strategies.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium hedges are more than just shrubbery around a field—they're witnesses to nearly a century of rivalries, victories, and legends that have graced Dooley Field.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That is an unlikely combination because, in general, teams that score so much on offense have the lead, forcing teams into passing situations to keep pace.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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That’s what pushed me to being a creative type like people tend to in those situations.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some Virginia elections have turned into battles over which candidate will be toughest on data centers; others elections have already been lost over them.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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As things get predictably dark for the struggling couple – and for some unlucky flies that get to experience her rage first-hand – their battles are frequently hilarious.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Additional deals have been secured with World Pictures for the CIS region, Karantajina for the former Yugoslavia, and Front Row for Middle East and North Africa.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
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Sponsored content deals are expected to surpass $10 billion this year, as more advertisers cut back on traditional media advertising and dive headfirst into influencer marketing.—
Taylor Lorenz,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Season-long struggles; still fighting Charlotte has five games left on the schedule, starting with North Texas (6-1, 2-1 American) next Friday night on ESPN2.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
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To commemorate World Dyslexia Day, the former journalist opened up about her experience and the struggles of not being diagnosed early enough.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Those moments, the quiet ones between pictures, are the ones that live on in the images.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
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The photo carousel also included throwback pictures of the couple from over the years, with some dating all the way back to their time together as preschool classmates.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Once on campus, he’s drawn into the intense world of Black Greek life, where rival fraternities battle through stepping competitions that blend rhythm, tradition, and pride.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
16 Oct. 2025
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Of their 16 meetings in all competitions between August 2004 and August 2007, 10 featured one goal or fewer.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some questions are visually supported by photographs, others by sound, while other duels focus on open questions, multiple choice and association.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
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The hope is more of a fiery attitude could lead to more duels won.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ball games.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball%20games. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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