curveball

noun

curve·​ball ˈkərv-ˌbȯl How to pronounce curveball (audio)
: a slow or moderately fast baseball pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and usually to the left when thrown from the right hand or to the right when thrown from the left hand
curveball verb

Examples of curveball in a Sentence

The batter struck out on a curveball.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But Athletics shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer experienced quite a curveball during the fifth inning of last Monday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 Three of Brown’s pitches — his sinker, four-seamer and curveball — generated at least five swings and misses from Chicago’s lineup on Saturday. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 July 2026 But in a curveball, the trailer instead dropped online days ahead of the event, on Monday, July 20. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 July 2026 Thought the cutter was really good, but by far, the best his curveball and slider have been. — Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for curveball

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curveball was in 1936

Phrases Containing curveball

Rhymes for curveball

See All Rhymes for curveball

Browse Nearby Words

curve
curveball
curve-billed thrasher
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curveball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curveball. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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