1
as in sphere
a more or less round body or mass
the little rubber ball used in racquetball a ball of string
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bullet
a usually round or cone-shaped little piece of lead made to be fired from a firearm
found a cache of musket balls while excavating the old fort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ball
Stacy Lambe, People.com, 14 July 2025
And when Larry says that Billy basically didn’t have the balls to stand there and speak to father and ask for her hand and fight for her, then what’s the point?
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
To keep it as fresh as possible, transfer chunks, balls, or slices to an airtight container or zip-top bag, squeezing out excess air.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
This is not usually not somewhere Destiny drops the ball.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ball
Noun
Even a young Cora taking in the opera in N.Y.C. or getting an invite to a ball in Newport could be a possibility.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 14 July 2025
And when Larry says that Billy basically didn’t have the balls to stand there and speak to father and ask for her hand and fight for her, then what’s the point?
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
To keep it as fresh as possible, transfer chunks, balls, or slices to an airtight container or zip-top bag, squeezing out excess air.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
This is not usually not somewhere Destiny drops the ball.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball
Verb
-
As more of the world classifies as having subtropical climates, adding pieces such as shorts, track pants, hoodies, double-faced jerseys and rip-stop fabrics rounds out offerings for different climates and activities, including ath-leisure dressing moments and travel.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Venice, Lakewood, Downey and Petaluma round out the eight-team field.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
The truck will roll into key markets including Ballerini's hometown of Knoxville, the Texas State Fair and Red River Rivalry weekend.—
Brittany Talarico,
People.com,
15 July 2025
-
Cameras rolled yesterday at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share