ball 1 of 3

1
as in sphere
a more or less round body or mass the little rubber ball used in racquetball a ball of string

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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

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ball

2 of 3

noun (2)

ball

3 of 3

verb

as in to round
to form into a round compact mass balled up the paper and threw it at the garbage can

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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
Noun
With a runner on first base, the Cardinals’ Pedro Pagés chopped a ball that bounced behind second base. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2025 Leandro Trossard of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at Emirates Stadium on May 18, 2025 in London, England. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025 Shape each ball into a 4-inch-wide, 3/4-inch-thick patty. John Somerall, Southern Living, 27 July 2025 So, the point guard doesn't have to give up the ball and get it back. Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 15 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
  • New Fortune 2 William Wong rolled the dim sum carts back out in 2024, reviving the New Fortune brand, and the crowds immediately flocked to the restaurant that serves a wide array of popular Chinese dishes and Cantonese dim sum specialties.
    Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Another rolled her eyes, donned a hooded sweatshirt and casually held a TV remote to mimic Timberlake's indication the fans should do the singing.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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