ballads

noun

plural of ballad
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ballads These standout ballads touted a rugged lifestyle with elements of organized crime, which aided his primo’s ascent to the mainstream. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 These songs were less detailed than the ballads but conveyed intense emotion gleaned from an often hardscrabble existence. — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 When the Black Queen’s message arrives in the Riverlands, the king consort, lil’ Oscar Tully, and their new pal Roddy the Ruin are busy reveling, making up ballads dedicated to their own derring-do. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026 Within the flashy dance numbers and power ballads, American musicals often hold up a mirror to society. — Abraham Swee, USA Today, 29 June 2026 That realization led him to a collection of honky-tonk stompers, highway ballads and intimate character studies. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 23 June 2026 The ballads, though, are where the trumpeter puts on his Harmon mute and things turn magical. — Natalie Weiner, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026 The San Jose Stage production also has the fortune of working with a terrific five-piece band, with Benjamin Belew’s music direction more effective in the rock versions than the power ballads. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 Sarnoski’s film takes its title from one of those ballads, in which Robin Hood — long before there was any Maid Marian to speak of — was a mere yeoman. — ABC News, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
  1. songs
  2. hymns
  3. lyrics
  4. anthems
  5. vocals
Noun
  • Produced again by the classic-rocker whisperer Andrew Watt (Paul McCartney, Elton John, Pearl Jam), the band delivers a clutch of strong songs.
    — Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • But we writers of historical fiction should never forget, in our focus on the vast sweep of time and change, that the symphony itself is composed of lots of little songs.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of songs
Noun
  • Many American poets have written hymns and howls, declarations and outcries for this country that brims with so many people, and so many hopes, from all over the world.
    — Scott Simon, NPR, 4 July 2026
  • Transplants from the British Isles In 1776, as the nation’s founding generation proclaimed democratic ideals, music in the emerging United States consisted largely of British ballads, fiddle tunes, sea chanteys and hymns.
    — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of hymns
Noun
  • The musical features a book by Jenna Clark Embrey and Molly Beach Murphy, which music and lyrics by Train, choreography by David Neumann, direction by Lorin Latarro and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Usifer.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • Between Bon Jovi being home-ish from the band's Sayreville, New Jersey, roots and also back home on stage, the resonance of the lyrics were apparent on his face.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of lyrics
Noun
  • The World Cup doubles as a beauty pageant for each country’s fans, who strut around, sing their anthems, and try their best to look hot, happy, and, above all, passionate.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, singing anthems at England national team matches is nothing new for English supporters.
    — Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of anthems
Noun
  • Jagger penned new lyrics, recorded new vocals, and presto — the band made its last classic.
    — Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Multitracking his voice into a haunted choir, the effect as his vocals rise and cut out is absolutely gutting.
    — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
Definition of vocals

Browse Nearby Words

ballad
ballads
ballast
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Cite this Entry

“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ballads

Nglish: Translation of ballads for Spanish Speakers

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