ballad

noun

ˈba-ləd How to pronounce ballad (audio)
Definition of balladnext
as in song
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 ballad Compton and Clark weave a folksy Celtic score, packed with thigh-slapping drinking songs, ethereal ballads and soaring earworms. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 But there’s no icy chill to his vision, only the glib confidence that a feel-good montage or a piercing Anohni and the Johnsons ballad will blind us to his film’s lack of human connection. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Apparently, at a KATSEYE concert, even the ballads aren’t allowed to stay grounded. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026 List of famous ballads The following are some notable poems and songs that are also ballads. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ballad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballad
  1. song
  2. hymn
  3. lyric
  4. anthem
  5. vocal
  6. lullaby
Noun
  • Many songs here invert the notion of a ghost in the machine; Shy assumes the role of the femmebot on the fritz, while the productions—overseen by Karma Kid and Casey MQ—are like the contents of a fertile petri dish.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 11 Nov. 2026
  • That’s actually a very important song in entertainment history.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of song
Noun
  • Nothing more than a reminder that the quotidian world around us can be a hymn all by itself.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • At the conclusion of an English-language service interspersed with hymns in Arabic, the priest introduced Salazar, who stood up in the front row, smiling and waving.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of hymn
Noun
  • This is a musical in a very mainstream pop mode of supple but almost juvenile high voices singing banal lyrics to catchy melodies with rather bombastic production.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Even beyond lyrics, the sheer tone of a voice can communicate emotion so differently.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of lyric
Noun
  • Sincerity, stability, domesticity—those are harder sells for fans expecting quotable and clippable baddie anthems, which might make SWALLOW!
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Few people had a bigger or busier 2026 than Shakira, and her and Burna Boy’s official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem dominated the year, spending seven non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Global 200.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of anthem
Noun
  • First released in 1973, the reimagined holiday classic now features the Irish country-pop star on vocals alongside John.
    — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Motorola claims that the Signature 27’s sound system delivers deep bass, clear vocals, and high fidelity across music, movies, and games.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of vocal
Noun
  • Gotta be honest, this instrumental version from one of those cover compilations of rock songs done lullaby-style for hipster parents is kind of great.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Reilly, who composed the song wholesale, seems content to swap his Satie-esque irresolution for something straightforwardly plaintive, like a lullaby.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Definition of lullaby

Browse Nearby Words

ball
ballad
ballads
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Cite this Entry

“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballad. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ballad

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ballad

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