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
But in their early years, Jagger and Richards were relatively focused on traditional British songcraft, especially in their ballads.
—
John Lingan, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Over the next 300 years, chapbooks and broadside ballads became mainstays in Britain.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2025
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
John Lingan, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Over the next 300 years, chapbooks and broadside ballads became mainstays in Britain.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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According to the lawsuit, the pair filed notices of termination in 2022 to reclaim the rights to those songs, which were released by its subsidiaries Next Plateau London Records.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
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Using his falsetto vocals, this was one of the songs of the summer, blending '80s synth-pop and new wave, with touches of '70s-era funk and blues.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This climax is steeped in ancient psalms and hymns but also the neat, museumlike minimalism of pop-culture descendants like Ye’s Sunday Service Choir operas.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
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Tutivillus, who totted up all the mistakes clergymen made when singing hymns or reciting psalms.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Harbour also recently made headlines following the release of estranged wife Lily Allen's latest album, West End Girl, which contained references many interpreted as pointing toward alleged unfaithfulness on Harbour's part, though the actor isn't explicitly named in the lyrics.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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Three songwriters from each category will be selected, celebrating artists whose lyrics and melodies have made a lasting impact on music.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The legendary Public Enemy rapper and dating show debutante served as the guest judge on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, in which the eight remaining couples hit the floor with head-banging routines set to a litany of iconic anthems.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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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
Noun
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Malek last showcased his vocals in his Oscar-winning turn as Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
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Moreover, Nina White and Tatum Grace Hopkins, who portrayed Jackie’s daughter Victoria and niece Jonquil, respectively, stand alongside Chenoweth with their own powerhouse vocals.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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