as in songs
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ballads
Much of the music and lyrics are drawn from Sting's 1991 album The Soul Cages, and weave elements of his family's story into ballads, Celtic folk music and classical recordings that his mother collected.
—
Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 June 2026
His ballads of rainy English angst went over big in the land of sun and surf.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2026
Many argue that true crime originated in folk murder ballads, popularized in the 1500s.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 June 2026
As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026
As academics will tell you, people have been writing ballads inspired by real-life criminal activity ever since the Renaissance.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
The entertainment could be a little racier than being serenaded by a trio singing Greek power ballads at dinnertime.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
His expansive sonic palette includes soaring anthems, tender ballads, and hard-driving dance tracks with a focus on thumping bass and earworm melodies.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
Yet despite their cultural staying power, power ballads have historically received little scholarly attention, in part because they are often dismissed as schlocky and banal.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2026
Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 June 2026
His ballads of rainy English angst went over big in the land of sun and surf.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2026
Many argue that true crime originated in folk murder ballads, popularized in the 1500s.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 June 2026
As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026
As academics will tell you, people have been writing ballads inspired by real-life criminal activity ever since the Renaissance.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
The entertainment could be a little racier than being serenaded by a trio singing Greek power ballads at dinnertime.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
His expansive sonic palette includes soaring anthems, tender ballads, and hard-driving dance tracks with a focus on thumping bass and earworm melodies.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
Yet despite their cultural staying power, power ballads have historically received little scholarly attention, in part because they are often dismissed as schlocky and banal.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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What to do after writing some of this century’s most devastating songs about the torment of breaking up?—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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She’s beloved as evidenced by her fans recreating her songs on TikTok.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The album features mountain songs, ballads and folk hymns that celebrate traditional American music.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
4 June 2026
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The service of hymns and prayer will be followed by a memorial roll call of members of the armed services who died in active duty.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Violinist Warren Ellis played an equally soulful solo during a break from the lyrics.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2026
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For Corinne Bailey Rae, lyrics and melodies can reveal new possibilities.—
Christopher A. Daniel,
AJC.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Charli and preeminent pop divas Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande are releasing some of the bleakest music of their careers just in time for summer, the traditional season for party anthems and celebratory bangers.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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With the controversial move, Russian and Belarusian nationals can now compete freely under national colors, flags, and anthems.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
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For the album, Simon enlisted John Forté, who died earlier this year, as well as Simon's son Ben, who appears on the project as a singer, musician, producer, and songwriter, in addition to her daughter Sally, who contributes vocals and created the cover artwork for the single.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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Impressive also is the score from Tony Lewis and folk singer Jim Ghedi, including the uniquely haunting vocals from the latter.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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