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 The film is directed by David Ayer, a purveyor of wild action flicks and ballads of masculinity; the screenplay is the debut effort of Cameron Alexander. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Then there’s the entertainment team including a pair of dancers who tackle everything from the tango to bachata, a singer who goes for Alicia Keys-style ballads, a jazzy vocalist, and a piano player. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 For more than three decades, his romantic ballads and hits have provided the soundtrack for couples swaying cheek-to-cheek to the sensual gouyad of konpa rhythms. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 By 2017, Cyrus was covering her tattoos with makeup, wearing all white, and singing ballads of marital devotion. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 What comes in between includes a surprising number of love ballads and a few odd outliers. — Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 Drizzy teased nearly ten new records and mixes in the film, ranging from acoustic ballads to island bops, New Orleans bounce tracks, and another rager with Yeat. — Armon Sadler, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026 The nineteenth century saw authors in other countries (Germany, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Norway) attempting to firm up their nationalist claims by ransacking popular ballads, rustic legends, and oral traditions. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 Robin Hood, the ballads all postdate the Peasants’ Revolt and were wildly popular and continued to resonate and echo down. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
  1. songs
  2. hymns
  3. lyrics
  4. anthems
  5. vocals
Noun
  • The songs on Synonym were already chosen, as were the collaborators.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Couples will dance to iconic songs performed in various former Super Bowl shows.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of songs
Noun
  • The atmosphere feels similar to Pentecostal churches, with the hymns and spiritual declarations very familiar to those sung in other churches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In the southernmost car, dozens press together and sway in their prayer shawls to the hymns of the morning service.
    — Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of hymns
Noun
  • The eight-part documentary reflects on his life and times by deconstructing his lyrics, à la his 2010 memoir, Decoded, authored by journalist and filmmaker dream hampton.
    — John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Meantime, an English class gave students nearly four weeks to write lyrics for a song about a social or personal issue.
    — Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of lyrics
Noun
  • The welcome ceremony also included a flyover by two B-1 bombers, platoons from each military service, and a presentation of the flags and anthems of both countries.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The welcome ceremony was also set to include a flyover by two B-1 bombers, flower presenters, platoons from each military service, and a presentation of the flags and anthems of both countries.
    — Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of anthems
Noun
  • Quavo also teased that his next endeavor will be a final Migos project with Offset, which will feature posthumous vocals from Takeoff, who passed away in November 2022 in a fatal shooting.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Notably, Laboriel, who also does background vocals, has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, from Super Bowl halftime shows to concerts held in front of Queen Elizabeth.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of vocals

Browse Nearby Words

ballad
ballads
ballast
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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