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
An old soul with with a huge, commanding voice, his catalog hovers between the orchestral swoon of pre-rock ballads, the pristine melodies of Anita Baker and the rangy, resilient yearning of his hometown’s soul tradition.
—
Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
That success — as well as surviving his own murder attempt — has sparked a nationwide infatuation of Harfuch, which includes merchandise and popular ballads praising him.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
The show ebbed and flowed with precision, with the uptempo jams countered by Mars’ considerable arsenal of ballads.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere on the project, Bowlin, aided by producer David Ferguson (Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson), moves between honky-tonk-laden melodies and murder ballads, sometimes even dipping his toe into the sphere of alternative rock.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
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
Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
That success — as well as surviving his own murder attempt — has sparked a nationwide infatuation of Harfuch, which includes merchandise and popular ballads praising him.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
The show ebbed and flowed with precision, with the uptempo jams countered by Mars’ considerable arsenal of ballads.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere on the project, Bowlin, aided by producer David Ferguson (Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson), moves between honky-tonk-laden melodies and murder ballads, sometimes even dipping his toe into the sphere of alternative rock.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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Their songs are the hardest to sing and there were some flat notes sung Wednesday.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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Many of their songs are about undocumented workers trying to make a living while evading immigration agents.—
Adrian Florido,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The music is eclectic and includes sounds associated with Islam as well as bluegrass, hymns and spirituals.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Liberty City rapper born Maurice Samuels isn’t exactly belting out church hymns.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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It is directed by Tony nominee Sheryl Kaller, with book and additional lyrics by original screenwriter Pamela Gray, music and lyrics by Tony and Grammy nominee AnnMarie Milazzo, and choreography by Josh Prince.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
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The pounding dembow riddims boldly crash into electro pop, rock, and trap, interspersed with gentle waves crashing and lyrics about lovers who never pulled up.—
E.R. Pulgar,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Teenagers scaled Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge and blasted revolutionary anthems by artists whose songs captured young people’s frustrations with the regime.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
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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
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 19 Apr. 2026.
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