as in songs
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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Recent Examples of ballads
Arranged and produced by the artist herself along with her husband and guitarist, Paolo Carta, the song showcases a more provocative and refreshing side of the Italian superstar, better known in the Spanish-speaking world for her pop anthems and romantic ballads.
—
Natalia Cano, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2026
Those ballads offer an avenue for getting in touch with grief that may prove for local audiences the most valuable element of experiencing this fine production.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Recorded over a two-year period, Blue Mountain, Weir’s first solo album since 1978’s Heaven Help the Fool, was a beautifully ambient collection of modern-day ranch-hand ballads, and Weir soon launched an accompanying tour.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Handsomely lensed by Alexandre Nour Desjardins, who uses lots of warm light to give the interiors a nostalgic bent, the film also benefits from a melodic score by Joseph Marchand, with other scenes set to vintage Soviet-era pop ballads.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
But in this subgenre, Ponthier embraces the role of an outsider, singing lyrics fantastical enough to satisfy sci-fi enthusiasts while penning Gen Z non-binary ballads to cry to.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Her program will feature dance tunes, ballads and airs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Turnpike Troubadours shows are communal affairs — a blend of high-energy jams and heartfelt ballads.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Natalia Cano, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2026
Those ballads offer an avenue for getting in touch with grief that may prove for local audiences the most valuable element of experiencing this fine production.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Recorded over a two-year period, Blue Mountain, Weir’s first solo album since 1978’s Heaven Help the Fool, was a beautifully ambient collection of modern-day ranch-hand ballads, and Weir soon launched an accompanying tour.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Handsomely lensed by Alexandre Nour Desjardins, who uses lots of warm light to give the interiors a nostalgic bent, the film also benefits from a melodic score by Joseph Marchand, with other scenes set to vintage Soviet-era pop ballads.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
But in this subgenre, Ponthier embraces the role of an outsider, singing lyrics fantastical enough to satisfy sci-fi enthusiasts while penning Gen Z non-binary ballads to cry to.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Her program will feature dance tunes, ballads and airs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Turnpike Troubadours shows are communal affairs — a blend of high-energy jams and heartfelt ballads.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
-
Despite the concerns, Suno is becoming a more common tool among professional songwriters and producers to assist in creating songs and demos, growing more present in songwriter sessions across the industry.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Producers hinted that theatergoers will hear some of Megan Thee Stallion’s songs in the jukebox musical.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, the words written in her autobiography served as the guide for the two-hour service filled with hymns and scriptures, as Christ Episcopal Church rector Father Jonathan Archer read a passage from the book which was published in 2000 during her memorial on Friday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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Accompanied by ringing bells, ethereal music and chanting hymns, the priests gracefully moved their arms in unison, holding up various flaming brass lamps during the 45-minute serene and powerful ritual.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a lot of ways, Rick’s job was to create the architecture and skeleton and musculature the way that Richard Rodgers would for the song, and my job was the lyrics to sit on top of it and dance and play.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Written by Carter Faith, Cameron Bedell, and Seth Ennis, the lyrics juxtapose human vices with the teachings of a major religion.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lulu, whose big numbers are anthems of empowerment and friendship, is given room to really shine in this show, and Abraham does.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Arranged and produced by the artist herself along with her husband and guitarist, Paolo Carta, the song showcases a more provocative and refreshing side of the Italian superstar, better known in the Spanish-speaking world for her pop anthems and romantic ballads.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Released in November 2025, Zhamira’s debut LP Curita Para el Corazón is a Latin pop record that emphasizes the singer’s strong, emotional vocals against delicate acoustic moments.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
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Solomon originally sang the song while shooting, but Rimes recorded the vocals two weeks ago to be used on top of the scene.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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