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
When the Black Queen’s message arrives in the Riverlands, the king consort, lil’ Oscar Tully, and their new pal Roddy the Ruin are busy reveling, making up ballads dedicated to their own derring-do.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
Within the flashy dance numbers and power ballads, American musicals often hold up a mirror to society.
—
Abraham Swee,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
That realization led him to a collection of honky-tonk stompers, highway ballads and intimate character studies.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
23 June 2026
The ballads, though, are where the trumpeter puts on his Harmon mute and things turn magical.
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Natalie Weiner,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
The San Jose Stage production also has the fortune of working with a terrific five-piece band, with Benjamin Belew’s music direction more effective in the rock versions than the power ballads.
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David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Sarnoski’s film takes its title from one of those ballads, in which Robin Hood — long before there was any Maid Marian to speak of — was a mere yeoman.
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ABC News,
17 June 2026
Zachary Stevenson’s performance replicates the nerdy-yet-hip Texan through impressive guitar licks and superb vocals that are equally comfortable with sweet ballads and on-the-edge rockabilly songs.
—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Much of the music and lyrics are drawn from Sting's 1991 album The Soul Cages, and weave elements of his family's story into ballads, Celtic folk music and classical recordings that his mother collected.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 June 2026
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
Within the flashy dance numbers and power ballads, American musicals often hold up a mirror to society.
—
Abraham Swee,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
That realization led him to a collection of honky-tonk stompers, highway ballads and intimate character studies.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
23 June 2026
The ballads, though, are where the trumpeter puts on his Harmon mute and things turn magical.
—
Natalie Weiner,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
The San Jose Stage production also has the fortune of working with a terrific five-piece band, with Benjamin Belew’s music direction more effective in the rock versions than the power ballads.
—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Sarnoski’s film takes its title from one of those ballads, in which Robin Hood — long before there was any Maid Marian to speak of — was a mere yeoman.
—
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Zachary Stevenson’s performance replicates the nerdy-yet-hip Texan through impressive guitar licks and superb vocals that are equally comfortable with sweet ballads and on-the-edge rockabilly songs.
—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Much of the music and lyrics are drawn from Sting's 1991 album The Soul Cages, and weave elements of his family's story into ballads, Celtic folk music and classical recordings that his mother collected.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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But at his Wednesday night tour opener in the Twin Cities, the 77-year-old abruptly let the stage after just a few songs.
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Shouldn’t all of our desserts be able to play Kenny Loggins songs at this point?
Noun
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As mourners talked quietly, nursery rhymes were interspersed with traditional gospel hymns.
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One version sings hymns to a mythic nation always free, always just, always brave, always chosen.
Noun
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The musical, which has a book by Jeff Whitty with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, went on to play in Las Vegas, London's West End, and other locations worldwide.
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As the only standalone English track of the album, its lyrics speak of a situationship so suspended in uncertainty that Selines craftily matched it with the sonic sensation of floating into outer space.
Noun
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Meanwhile, singing anthems at England national team matches is nothing new for English supporters.
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As the anthems played ahead of Curaçao’s first-ever World Cup match, Advocaat stood on the touchline and wiped away tears.
Noun
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Thanks in part to the addictive vocals of band members Adriana Flores and Bryan Ponce, the Altons were designated as one of the flagship bands for roots label Daptone Records new soul spinoff, Penrose Records.
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Under the spotlight, her sentimental vocals land softly with a crowd that’s happy to see her.
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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