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
Relevance
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 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
And the violent scenes aren’t grotesque or didactic — think of Miles’ muted trumpet sound reconfigured as resurrection visuals, of his ability to play and stage ballads so well that their uptempo momentum moves into territories too macabre to mute.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
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
And the violent scenes aren’t grotesque or didactic — think of Miles’ muted trumpet sound reconfigured as resurrection visuals, of his ability to play and stage ballads so well that their uptempo momentum moves into territories too macabre to mute.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
-
Many songs are now written on computers, using sequencers, patterns, and loops, with notes laid out in perfect synchrony on a rhythmic, 4/4 grid.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
More than two dozen protesters lined the inside and hallway outside of Little’s office for hours, holding transgender rights signs and singing songs that could be heard throughout the Statehouse.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Throughout his music career, Cole has incorporated basketball images and references into his lyrics, performances and cover art.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Country Sides is an 11-track LP that showcases the Heathens’ range in melody and lyrics, drawing on sounds and styles that defined their two decades as a hard-driving Americana outfit.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
The former consists of Eva Grant on lead vocals, George Jensen on lead guitar, River Chadwick on bass, Leo Giaconi on rhythm guitar and Luca Giaconi on drums.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Digitally tweaked to fit the syncopated rhythm and stay on key, Weir’s vocals have a discomfiting quality that’s almost certainly unintentional—especially considering how often the beauty of the Dead lied in their very human imperfections.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
