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 entertainment could be a little racier than being serenaded by a trio singing Greek power ballads at dinnertime.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
In the heart of the capital Praia, a city of under 200,000 residents, singers belt out morna ballads from restaurants — morna being Cape Verde's traditional music, with African and Portuguese influences.
—Ricci Shryock, NPR, 27 May 2026
His expansive sonic palette includes soaring anthems, tender ballads, and hard-driving dance tracks with a focus on thumping bass and earworm melodies.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
Overall, power ballads rely on sentimentality and uplift, two antithetical sentiments at first glance.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2026
On the last Unusual Tuesday of April, Zabaglio performed soft electric-indie ballads to a roar of applause as the first act of the night.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Devin Archer richly interprets Emile’s romantic ballads, French accent and all, while Cindy Chang brings some honest dignity to Bloody Mary and Anthony Maggio’s Cabel goes far beyond the standard-issue tenor.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
From Croatian folk and Czech power ballads to Serbian prog-metal and Swedish techno, here’s a look at the runners and riders from worst to best.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
Not that the album can really be divided into ballads and rockers.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
In the heart of the capital Praia, a city of under 200,000 residents, singers belt out morna ballads from restaurants — morna being Cape Verde's traditional music, with African and Portuguese influences.
—Ricci Shryock, NPR, 27 May 2026
His expansive sonic palette includes soaring anthems, tender ballads, and hard-driving dance tracks with a focus on thumping bass and earworm melodies.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
Overall, power ballads rely on sentimentality and uplift, two antithetical sentiments at first glance.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2026
On the last Unusual Tuesday of April, Zabaglio performed soft electric-indie ballads to a roar of applause as the first act of the night.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Devin Archer richly interprets Emile’s romantic ballads, French accent and all, while Cindy Chang brings some honest dignity to Bloody Mary and Anthony Maggio’s Cabel goes far beyond the standard-issue tenor.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
From Croatian folk and Czech power ballads to Serbian prog-metal and Swedish techno, here’s a look at the runners and riders from worst to best.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
Not that the album can really be divided into ballads and rockers.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
-
The show is still using some of those songs, giving the score’s relationship to the script a half-in, half-out near-jukebox feeling.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
-
Maya, like Bassichis, did an act that was a bit standup, a bit performance art, broken up by dreamy, oddball songs.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The service of hymns and prayer will be followed by a memorial roll call of members of the armed services who died in active duty.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
-
The result, a collaboration with Joseph Shirley — whose composer credits include The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Creed III — is a beautiful, winding soundtrack that weaves between whistling, clapping Americana, gospel-like hymns and spiritual delta blues.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The album teams with moments like this, bits where the music might evoke a modern homespun permutation of greats like Daryl Hall and John Oates or even Prince, and the lyrics add new wrinkles to classic pop heartbreak.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2026
-
Over the years, his lyrics haven’t changed much, but the perspective has shifted from observant kid caught in the mix to pushing-30 vet cutting memory tracks on the days when life was a lot simpler.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
People are fixating on celebrities of all kinds, accusing singers of body-positive anthems of being hypocritical, rolling their eyes at athletes promoting weight loss drugs and whispering about the thinness of their favorite movie stars.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
The performance will be followed by a selection of anthems.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The subtle backing vocals are Beatles-esque, too.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
And obviously, the massive vocals in the chorus.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
