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
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
At the time, state officials said the county had been allegedly low-balling assessments for years, which was the reason for the overall increase.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 18 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
While there’s been huge contributions to this start for Los Angeles in all three phases, Herbert has been balling, just like McConkey says.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2025
But Wedgewood is balling out to start the season.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
At the time, state officials said the county had been allegedly low-balling assessments for years, which was the reason for the overall increase.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 18 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
While there’s been huge contributions to this start for Los Angeles in all three phases, Herbert has been balling, just like McConkey says.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2025
But Wedgewood is balling out to start the season.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balling
Verb
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Austria and Canada coming from 2-1 down to beat Japan and Brazil, the latter coming from Liam Draxl seeing out a win over Gustavo Heide despite rolling his ankle in the seventh game of the deciding rubber.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The oversized mock-neck sweater tucks chicly into the pencil-leg pants, primed for rolling at the hems and styling with chunky sneakers for long travel days.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Darnold and Seattle lost their first regular-season meetings with the 49ers and the Rams this season before rounding into NFC-championship form.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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Instead, viewers were faced with one of the more excruciating scenes in recent sports memory as Vonn’s body went limp while rounding one of the course’s first gates.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balling. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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