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
In between are lush and smoky country ballads shot through with irresistible melodies.
—
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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But those are two very different movies, and there aren’t enough achingly tender John Prine songs in the world to paper over the gap between them.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
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Who would have thought a suite of songs that cover being annoyed at TV chef Jamie Oliver and some rich Tesla driver moving into an old flame’s flat would be so comprehensively devastating?—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The epitome of that tradition is Choral Evensong, an evening service of hymns, psalms and prayers laid out by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Protestant archbishop of the Church of England, in 1549.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Outside, the protesters sang hymns and chanted prayers and held signs and images of the Virgin Mary.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Newman often seems to be reciting his lyrics, even incanting them, reverent and repetitive.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
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At times, that means dense lyrics that almost feel unwieldy, which Taub cleverly addresses early on.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Like all other private and public enterprises in Germany, these guilds now began their meetings with anthems and Hitler salutes.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
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David Bowie — whose transcendent anthems ring out at key moments in this production — might call them the people on the edge of the night.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The singer, known for her powerhouse vocals and acrobatic stage shows, dipped her toe into hosting duties back in March by guest-hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
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Labrinth, the British singer and songwriter whose ethereal vocals have served as Euphoria’s musical identity, will not feature in Season Three of the HBO hit, Rolling Stone has confirmed.—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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