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
Relevance
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 games
Set the scene Arriving here at golden hour, past a paddock of horses and a wildflower field in which children are playing ball games, feels impossibly idyllic.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The two fans each have enough battery life to last through outdoor activities like ball games and day trips to Disney, or to keep you cool during a long car ride or a medium-length flight.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
In addition to the youth ball games, the family visited some spring-training ballparks, including the one in Surprise, Arizona, where the Royals train.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The two fans each have enough battery life to last through outdoor activities like ball games and day trips to Disney, or to keep you cool during a long car ride or a medium-length flight.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
In addition to the youth ball games, the family visited some spring-training ballparks, including the one in Surprise, Arizona, where the Royals train.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball games
Noun
-
One of the fiercest divisional rivalries in the NFL will have a new look to it.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Cherfilus-McCormick referenced a previous interaction with Wasserman Schultz, signaling that political rivalries could intensify if both enter the race for District 20.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
In many situations, yes — filing for bankruptcy can stop garnishment actions tied to certain debts, but the outcome depends on who is collecting the debt and what type of garnishment is occurring.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
After four years of such calls, these front-line mental health care workers have learned how to diffuse such situations, in this case, providing contacts for local therapists likely to be able to meet quickly and assigning a case manager to start the process of restoring Medi-Cal coverage.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
But if both of those battles end up as washes, the Knicks could pull away in this series because their work on the glass earns them extra shots.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Trustees increasingly want leaders capable of navigating not only fundraising and research growth, but also the political battles reshaping higher education.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
But this number dwindles to just 22 percent in the festival’s marquee competition program, which features films that most often go on to win awards and land top distribution deals.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
The club, owned by Connecticut Sports Group, led by managing partner André Swanston, forged ahead with its inaugural season in MLS Next Pro anyway, securing deals to play around the state this year.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Those struggles can manifest in a range of ways, McClanahan said, from finding new coping mechanisms to replace food to ongoing body image concerns, even after weight loss.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
14 May 2026
-
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.—
Katie Servas,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
On this night, as Rashad posed for pictures in Bushwick, SZA was a few miles away in Manhattan, walking the red carpet at the Met Gala.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Once in the asteroid's orbit, NASA's spacecraft is slated to take pictures of the asteroid's surface and shed light on its composition, over the course of about two years.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
As YouTube has invested in its lean-back offerings designed for TV viewers, ESPN has brought more longform and live content to the platform, including live streams of elite youth basketball, flag football and volleyball competitions.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
-
Cooking competitions bring together local chefs and home cooks, who showcase their creativity with traditional recipes and creative interpretations of the fruit.—
Taryn White,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Most of those have come from physical duels in the box but a few were the result of frustration, too.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
-
The team won 64% of its duels overall and 81% of aerial duels while making more tackles, interceptions, clearances and more.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ball games.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball%20games. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
