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
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Recent Examples of ballads
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
Both songs appear to be passionate ballads by the two impressive vocalists, with Erivo lending her melodic riff to Dorothy’s iconic line.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Tonatiuh croons a few ballads, though Lopez skillfully takes on most of the heavy musical work.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
The wedding ballads can wait; this nasty jam should still get the dancefloor packed in the meantime.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
The 12-track collection of breezy pop songs and narrative ballads features Swift sharing - sometimes oversharing - about her life and feelings.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
McRae has also made progress carving out an artistic identity—trading downhearted power ballads for sleek, club‑ready cuts that blend R&B, hip‑hop, and dance‑pop.
—Rachel Brodsky, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Coraline’s poppy swells and power ballads.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Her ballads were torch-song interludes that could have knocked them dead in lounges a century ago.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Both songs appear to be passionate ballads by the two impressive vocalists, with Erivo lending her melodic riff to Dorothy’s iconic line.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Tonatiuh croons a few ballads, though Lopez skillfully takes on most of the heavy musical work.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
The wedding ballads can wait; this nasty jam should still get the dancefloor packed in the meantime.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
The 12-track collection of breezy pop songs and narrative ballads features Swift sharing - sometimes oversharing - about her life and feelings.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
McRae has also made progress carving out an artistic identity—trading downhearted power ballads for sleek, club‑ready cuts that blend R&B, hip‑hop, and dance‑pop.
—Rachel Brodsky, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Coraline’s poppy swells and power ballads.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Her ballads were torch-song interludes that could have knocked them dead in lounges a century ago.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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Hansen Yang – hounded by over a dozen Chinese media members there to chronicle his every move – launched jumpers while Mandarin pop songs blared through the arena.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
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Instead of the traditional alternation of sung-text recitative and arias (songs), verismo operas are more seamless in how songs are interwoven with the story.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Festivities begin Friday night at the temple with hymns followed by fireworks.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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History and messages were shared through field hymns and songs.—
Taylor Cassidy,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, this is not the first time Urban has altered lyrics on stage for his duet partner.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Someone keeps calling her on the landline and leaving voice messages and texting her mobile phone—bits of song lyrics, compliments, and emoticons.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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The film also has moments from the Crazy Horse, where Aguilera performs her anthems in a cabaret sequence.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And your vocals on this are incredible too.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
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The track is filled with operatic vocals, a thundering choir, and a rich, swelling orchestra backing her — plus, there are cameos from Björk and Yves Tumor as well.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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