Thesaurus results for BALLASTS

ballasts

noun

plural of ballast

as in cargoes

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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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 ballasts Federal officials recently launched a prize competition to reward ideas for controlling the flow of aquatic species into and out of the ballasts of boats that travel among the various lakes and waterways across the United States. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 May 2026 Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years. — ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026 Have bricks or river rocks concealed out of sight and ready to use as ballasts to hold the cloth in place against winds. — Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026 Cheaper options or knock-offs tend to come with flimsy sockets, buzzing ballasts, or unreliable switches, which can make rooms look cheap or dated far sooner than expected and even create fire hazards. — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballasts

Noun

While traffic has dipped in response, ships continue to cross, with many making shuttle runs in and out of the Gulf to unload oil cargoes via ship-to-ship transfers.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
The rise in attacks comes even as more crude has been flowing out of the Gulf, highlighting the ongoing risks to crew and cargoes.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of cargoes

Noun

This is the kind of test that quickly separates a power station that merely has an impressive number printed on its case from one with an inverter and battery management system capable of handling tough, real-world loads.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Data collected from the test rig could allow manufacturers to design heat pumps and heat exchangers for high temperatures, large loads, and changing conditions.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of loads

Noun

Data compiled by Bloomberg shows crude loadings fell from roughly 250,000 barrels per day in August to zero in September, marking the first such instance since the war began in February.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Ateios said electrodes at these loadings have already been shipped to a customer.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of loadings

Noun

Unlike Mirai, these AI worms could pose a much higher threat, since the models could tailor exploits and payloads dynamically, depending on the target.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
The system can carry payloads for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of payloads

Noun

Toward more capable robotic manipulation Robotic manipulation remains a major challenge as researchers work to develop machines that can interact reliably with objects of different shapes, weights, and textures.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Pritzker's order also directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to consider extending the Illinois Harvest Permit program, which allows heavier truck weights on specified routes, into 2027.

— Bernarda Malevska, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of weights

Noun

Even before the latest spike in global borrowing costs, most developing countries faced unprecedented debt service burdens.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Breeds with structural health burdens, the brachycephalic group in particular, may face continued scrutiny from veterinarians and welfare groups.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of burdens

Noun

Better drafts, uneven learning Autor and six co-authors published the study as a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper, which has not been peer-reviewed.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Writing her a letter might be helpful but write a few drafts first.

— R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of drafts

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“Ballasts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballasts. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ballasts

noun

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