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
The Asian version will take flight after the original contest takes place in Vienna in May, with 35 countries competing in the singing contest known for outrageous costumes, towering ballads and high-energy performances.
—
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
His lot has electricity, a shack for storage, a living room with a TV and a sound system that blasts Spanish-language ballads through the encampment — or Usher, depending on the mood.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
In stark contrast to the treacly ballads of 2025’s Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without Your Name, Mr Cobra is all jagged edges, informed by free jazz, musique concrète, and experimental cinema.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
Yet the ballads are also strong, conveying palpable sorrow as the family members figure up their losses.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
For years, the Oscars’ in memoriam segment has been scored with weepy music and sentimental ballads.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Both have exceptional voices, stern POVs that turbo-charge defiant breakup ballads and the same manager, Nick Shymansky.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
One fan’s decision to belt out power ballads instead of just screaming during Stanford’s free throws at the ACC Tournament has turned into the most shareable fan moment heading into March Madness.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
And the violent scenes aren’t grotesque or didactic — think of Miles’ muted trumpet sound reconfigured as resurrection visuals, of his ability to play and stage ballads so well that their uptempo momentum moves into territories too macabre to mute.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
His lot has electricity, a shack for storage, a living room with a TV and a sound system that blasts Spanish-language ballads through the encampment — or Usher, depending on the mood.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
In stark contrast to the treacly ballads of 2025’s Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without Your Name, Mr Cobra is all jagged edges, informed by free jazz, musique concrète, and experimental cinema.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
Yet the ballads are also strong, conveying palpable sorrow as the family members figure up their losses.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
For years, the Oscars’ in memoriam segment has been scored with weepy music and sentimental ballads.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Both have exceptional voices, stern POVs that turbo-charge defiant breakup ballads and the same manager, Nick Shymansky.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
One fan’s decision to belt out power ballads instead of just screaming during Stanford’s free throws at the ACC Tournament has turned into the most shareable fan moment heading into March Madness.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
And the violent scenes aren’t grotesque or didactic — think of Miles’ muted trumpet sound reconfigured as resurrection visuals, of his ability to play and stage ballads so well that their uptempo momentum moves into territories too macabre to mute.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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Many songs are now written on computers, using sequencers, patterns, and loops, with notes laid out in perfect synchrony on a rhythmic, 4/4 grid.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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More than two dozen protesters lined the inside and hallway outside of Little’s office for hours, holding transgender rights signs and singing songs that could be heard throughout the Statehouse.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The arena filled with the sound of hymns, and the Mass featured Bible readings, Holy Communion and a homily.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
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In a manner that feels prototypical of the plant’s subsequent valorization across other cultures, the cucumber makes an appearance in the Rigveda, an ancient collection of Sanskrit hymns belonging to the canonical Hindu tradition.—
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Throughout his music career, Cole has incorporated basketball images and references into his lyrics, performances and cover art.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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Country Sides is an 11-track LP that showcases the Heathens’ range in melody and lyrics, drawing on sounds and styles that defined their two decades as a hard-driving Americana outfit.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Recorded a few months after Dogs came out, Megacity Madness spotlights several of the album’s most potent feel-bad anthems.—
Zach Schonfeld,
Pitchfork,
17 Mar. 2026
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Just before midnight, the masterful mashup duo, Loud Luxury took the stage with a rapid-fire mashup set that jumped between throwbacks and club anthems in unexpected combinations.—
Walaa Elsiddig,
Billboard,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lebohang Morake — the Grammy-winning South African composer behind the film’s opening Zulu vocals — filed a federal civil complaint in California on March 16 against the comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, alleging that the translation is false and damaging to his life’s work.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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The trio trade verses and backing vocals while Puth defers to his heroes for their keyboards and guitar, respectively.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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