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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ballads
The threadbare ballads from ’90s indie rock records that could have been breakthrough hits if presented in slightly cleaner fidelity.
—
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
These events will spotlight traditional musical practices, from Appalachian ballads to gospel choirs, and will feature key composers, musicians, and producers from North Carolina.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
Many of the favorite Christmas songs of a previous generation were torchy ballads.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2025
After a dozen songs in the seamless show, EWF slowed the pace for a segment spotlighting their seductive bedroom ballads.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
The band is one of the biggest acts in regional Mexican music and has become famous for its political ballads.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 4 Dec. 2025
But in their early years, Jagger and Richards were relatively focused on traditional British songcraft, especially in their ballads.
—John Lingan, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Over the next 300 years, chapbooks and broadside ballads became mainstays in Britain.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2025
Diane Warren has written power ballads for everyone from Cher to Celine, but her real passion project might just be the four-legged residents of her Malibu sanctuary.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
These events will spotlight traditional musical practices, from Appalachian ballads to gospel choirs, and will feature key composers, musicians, and producers from North Carolina.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
Many of the favorite Christmas songs of a previous generation were torchy ballads.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2025
After a dozen songs in the seamless show, EWF slowed the pace for a segment spotlighting their seductive bedroom ballads.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
The band is one of the biggest acts in regional Mexican music and has become famous for its political ballads.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 4 Dec. 2025
But in their early years, Jagger and Richards were relatively focused on traditional British songcraft, especially in their ballads.
—John Lingan, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Over the next 300 years, chapbooks and broadside ballads became mainstays in Britain.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2025
Diane Warren has written power ballads for everyone from Cher to Celine, but her real passion project might just be the four-legged residents of her Malibu sanctuary.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
-
Dennis Katz, the head of A&R at Bowie’s record label, RCA Records, was unconvinced that any of the songs recorded so far for the new album would be a hit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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Millions more have watched Swerski's catchy songs.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Most candlelight services include familiar Christmas hymns, a short message about the birth of Jesus, and a moment of reflection as the lights dim and candles are passed.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Dec. 2025
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The film demands plenty of its cast, including singing, dancing and getting caught in rapture, set to an unconventional soundtrack based on Shaker hymns by Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg.—
William Earl,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In music therapy, participants collaborate to write lyrics, build beats, and create songs together.—
Nicole Nielsen,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
In addition to featuring music and lyrics by Keys, the play boasts direction by five-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif.—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Johnson doesn’t listen to pop anthems all the time.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
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Bleu Edmondson was once one of the most promising stars in the Texas country scene, as well as the author of party anthems that still ring out on jukeboxes and college playlists across the Lone Star State.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This blend of styles is not only about presenting contrasts—clean versus shouted vocals, melodic versus dissonant riffs, headbanging versus moshing—but also preserving the murky in-between that only elevates the extreme.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
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The friends are Edmar Colon on saxophone, Jiri Nedoma on piano and Devon Gates on bass and vocals.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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