as in song
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ballad
Cook is well aware that the guns carried by the federal agents are not for show, even without the Boss’ new ballad.
—
Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
But Swims buckled into the ballad, standing tall and belting through the song’s inherent ache.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Turnpike Troubadours shows are communal affairs — a blend of high-energy jams and heartfelt ballads.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballad
Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
But Swims buckled into the ballad, standing tall and belting through the song’s inherent ache.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Turnpike Troubadours shows are communal affairs — a blend of high-energy jams and heartfelt ballads.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballad
Noun
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Apple Music, which sponsors the halftime show each year, also noted that streams of Bad Bunny’s songs jumped sevenfold immediately following the telecast.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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A little mystery can certainly go a long way in this genre—but this stunt only highlights that the person at the center of these songs sounds downright anonymous.—
Mehan Jayasuriya,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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It was written by James Weldon Johnson, who considered the piece a hymn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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Carlile put her emphatic phrasing into the patriotic hymn, elongating notes and smiling at herself after a slight vocal squeak at the end.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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All of that is displayed in his lyrics.—
Rocio Munoz,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Armstrong also changed some of the band’s lyrics to reference topical issues.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The songs, by the female rock duo ARXX, make cathartic anthems of these grievances.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2026
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Russian skiers and lugers at the Games won’t be displaying a national identity with team colors, a flag or an anthem and will not be part of the two-and-a-half-hour opening ceremony.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But Azor brushed aside their concerns and pushed them into a bathroom to record their vocals.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
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Arnold played the drums on the studio recordings, but the band hired Richard Liles to play percussion on tour so that the songwriter could focus on vocals during live performances.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Copies of the book included a link to a recording of the titular lullaby—featuring Clarkson’s dreamy vocals, of course.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
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The lullaby your grandmother hummed while shelling white beans into her apron, her voice low enough not to wake the war.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballad. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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