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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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
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According to the lawsuit, the pair filed notices of termination in 2022 to reclaim the rights to those songs, which were released by its subsidiaries Next Plateau London Records.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
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Using his falsetto vocals, this was one of the songs of the summer, blending '80s synth-pop and new wave, with touches of '70s-era funk and blues.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
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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Harbour also recently made headlines following the release of estranged wife Lily Allen's latest album, West End Girl, which contained references many interpreted as pointing toward alleged unfaithfulness on Harbour's part, though the actor isn't explicitly named in the lyrics.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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Three songwriters from each category will be selected, celebrating artists whose lyrics and melodies have made a lasting impact on music.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The legendary Public Enemy rapper and dating show debutante served as the guest judge on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, in which the eight remaining couples hit the floor with head-banging routines set to a litany of iconic anthems.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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The group known for their elaborate, glittery costumes, character makeup and bombastic rock anthems released some of its most successful albums during Frehley’s tenure, including 1977’s Love Gun and Alive II, both of which charted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
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 9 Jan. 2026.
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