1
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
I'm still in this ball game, so don't count me out yet
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ball game
But this was like a whole new ball game.
—
Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
At least not as long as the Knicks are winning ball games.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
Traveling carry-on-only is a feat in and of itself—but doing it in Europe is a totally different ball game.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 25 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
See All Example Sentences for ball game
Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
At least not as long as the Knicks are winning ball games.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
Traveling carry-on-only is a feat in and of itself—but doing it in Europe is a totally different ball game.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 25 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
See All Example Sentences for ball game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball game
Noun
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Baseball’s richest rivalry still draws national fascination.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Despite long-standing rivalries among senior Iranian politicians — many of whom hold powerful political positions and control significant economic resources — these factions quickly set aside their differences and pledged loyalty to him.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ollongren also warned of the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and the war’s adverse effects on human rights in Iran and the broader region.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The situation has become more complex after a major political shift in Tehran.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The war inside The game was ultimately decided by the battle inside the paint as TCU’s frontline of Punch and junior center Xavier Edmonds scrapped and clawed with Kansas’ talented big men Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
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He was involved in multiple relegation battles and believes having the right mindset is key.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The league had said that at least a handshake agreement on a labor deal would need to be done by Tuesday to start the season as scheduled.—
Doug Feinberg,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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However, the statement on Wednesday night, issued six days before the next select board meeting next Tuesday, offers the clearest indication yet that a deal can be struck and that Foxboro’s hardline stance has paid off.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The matchup between the two incumbent Republicans highlights a greater struggle of generational change that both parties are facing.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
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For many in the middle and lower tiers, simply staying afloat now feels like a struggle.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The institution weaponized its own status.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Chernyshov traveled with the Sharks to Ottawa late Saturday night, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Senators is unclear.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That is to say that the way the current system is set up distorts the healthcare economy in ways that don’t allow for much price competition, with ever-rising insurance premiums as the result.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Several regional nations have recently become key targets in a great power competition between the US and China for greater control of the continent’s resources.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ghazali lived in a single-story brick home in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn Heights about 38 miles south of the synagogue.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ball game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball%20game. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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