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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Write some of this century’s most devastating songs about the ecstasy of getting together.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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Grande commented on the TikTok post from earlier this week, telling the administration to cease using her songs.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Traditionally played on string instruments like the dulcimer, fiddle, and banjo, this distinctly twangy genre passed down religious hymns, ballads, and folktales through generations.—
Hillary Richard,
Travel + Leisure,
10 June 2026
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The album features mountain songs, ballads and folk hymns that celebrate traditional American music.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
4 June 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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Rather, poignant anthems of resilience, strength and unity in protest.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
11 Dec. 2025
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Kick-starting the initiative is an arsenal of snappy, hooky nods to early B-boy culture and post-disco, aughts club bangers, and anarchic Odd Future anthems.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
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While the entire band was a powerhouse, as lead singer Malo brought not only strong, soulful vocals that could veer between a Roy Orbison-esque baritone croon and country twang, but a genial humor that often manifested itself during the group’s concerts.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
9 Dec. 2025
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After the singer introduces the track with a swirl of spacey synths and forlorn vocals, his lament quickly morphs into a different beast as a raucous live orchestra bursts in to crack things wide open.—
Jason Lamphier,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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