as in rolling
to form into a round compact mass
balled up the paper and threw it at the garbage can
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of balling
At the time, state officials alleged that Platte County had been low-balling assessments for years.
—
Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
That’s where the fire-balling Doval could loom large.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Isaiah Collier, who was balling out and playing 34 minutes a night, is most impacted.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
These are the romance movies that lean into big emotions, meaningful connections, and the kind of love that lingers long after the credits roll — and will likely leave you balling your eyes out.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Its traditional, comfortable aesthetic matches mine perfectly, though as someone who’s forever balling on a budget, the prices make their products just out of reach.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
Eusexua offers a soundtrack for bedrooms and basements fit for balling and bawling sessions.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
And that may explain in part, argued Orysia Lutsevych, deputy director of the Russia-Eurasia program at Chatham House, why Russia is banking on slow-balling this new diplomatic push by the US, while making Trump believe it is still engaged.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
The defense was balling out and getting a lot of stops.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
That’s where the fire-balling Doval could loom large.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Isaiah Collier, who was balling out and playing 34 minutes a night, is most impacted.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
These are the romance movies that lean into big emotions, meaningful connections, and the kind of love that lingers long after the credits roll — and will likely leave you balling your eyes out.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Its traditional, comfortable aesthetic matches mine perfectly, though as someone who’s forever balling on a budget, the prices make their products just out of reach.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
Eusexua offers a soundtrack for bedrooms and basements fit for balling and bawling sessions.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
And that may explain in part, argued Orysia Lutsevych, deputy director of the Russia-Eurasia program at Chatham House, why Russia is banking on slow-balling this new diplomatic push by the US, while making Trump believe it is still engaged.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
The defense was balling out and getting a lot of stops.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balling
Verb
-
Amid such a tumult of exertion and indulgence, the art of directing may seem like an afterthought or a footnote to the sheer volume of creative work that occurs even when the camera isn’t rolling.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Worchester reclaimed the lead at 8-7 in the ninth, but Roden struck again with an RBI single that plated Eric Wagaman to again draw the hosts even and keep the game rolling.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That gap isn’t a rounding error.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Choreography will come from Brooke and Tiffany Engen, with Sully Ross (scenic design), Brendan McCann (costume design), Devin Cameron (lighting design) and Germán Martinez (sound design) rounding out the creative team.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balling. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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