Thesaurus results for BALLAST

ballast

noun

Definition of ballast

as in cargo

heavy material (such as rocks or water) that is put on a ship to make it steady or on a balloon to control its height in the air

—often used figuratively A large amount of ballast kept the boat from capsizing. She provided the ballast the family needed in times of stress.

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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 ballast More than 500 vessels are waiting to leave the Gulf, including more than 100 laden tankers and around 100 in ballast that could load new cargo. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 19 June 2026 There’s a case for a short-term overpay — say, two years and $50 million — to give Miami enough ballast to salary match in trades later. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 17 June 2026 Investment-grade bonds are the ballast of pension funds, insurance portfolios and the target-date funds sitting inside ordinary retirement accounts. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026 Diego navigated, and provided ballast, in the middle. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ballast

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballast

Noun

These backlogs are impactful to the flow of cargo in and out of western Europe.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
Once again, the fastback Coupe becomes the more-fashionable choice, while trading nearly 20 percent of the standard model’s rear cargo space and a touch of rear headroom.

— Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 15 July 2026

Definition of cargo

Noun

It isn't meant to house a bed but simply to open up space above the 205 x 186-cm (81 x 73-in) master king bed, creating a more complete bedroom that gives sleepers loads of space to sit up comfortably.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026
This one has a lid to ensure no pile is ever seen, no matter how long it's been since your last load.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 15 July 2026

Definition of load

Noun

Vegas offers exceptional carbo-loading and post-race celebrations, alongside world-class spas and gyms.

— Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
The ground crews have to navigate numerous planes landing, loading and taking off, while avoiding spinning propellers and keeping the equipment prepared.

— Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026

Definition of loading

Noun

The most notable is the payload suite flying on Flight 13 — 20 of SpaceX's next-gen Starlink V3 internet satellites.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 July 2026
Its payload includes a cache of Starlink V3 satellites—next-generation spacecraft that are the largest and heaviest yet launched for SpaceX’s relentless expansion of its broadband Internet megaconstellation.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 July 2026

Definition of payload

Noun

Housing costs in Broward County continue to rise, and property taxes have become an increasing burden for families, retirees, and first-time homeowners alike.

— Eric "Doc" Stelnicki, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
These agents may not be the right eventual solution for you, but engaging with a few such vendors can give your team experience with the agentic lifecycle without incurring all the costs and burdens up front.

— Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of burden

Noun

QuantCube’s indicator measures the volume of deadweight tonnage leaving Iraqi and UAE ports, which provides an estimate of the cargo weight the ships are carrying.

— Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 9 June 2026
As if moving his muscular deadweight weren’t a task itself for the two girls, there’s a point where Jinx falls onto Margo and pins her underwater in the tub.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 May 2026

Definition of deadweight

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“Ballast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballast. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ballast

noun

Example Sentences

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