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.
In the bottom of the fourth inning with a runner on second against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night, Rushing struck out on a breaking ball out of the zone and was not pleased with himself.—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 The numbers screamed for Madison Bumgarner, with the 2014 World Series championship on the line, to throw Kansas City’s Salvador Perez a breaking ball in the dirt.—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026 Go in and out with the heater, try to finish with the breaking ball.—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026 Nick Lodolo’s breaking ball Lodolo’s sweeping breaking ball, which is called both a slider and a curveball by different catchers, is an oldie but a goodie.—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breaking ball