as in songs
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 ballads
Her program will feature dance tunes, ballads and airs.
—
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 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
The Grammy winner — who released the new album After Hours earlier this month — points to other rock bands who’ve found success with ballads, like Journey and Nickelback, as more ammunition for his frustration.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
These interludes are like ballads in-between heavy power chord tunes at a stadium rock concert; an experience somewhat akin to watching a big loud action movie such as this.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Months after its release, singles from the Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers wound their way up the radio charts alongside alt-rock holdovers and glistening pop ballads.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
These events will spotlight traditional musical practices, from Appalachian ballads to gospel choirs, and will feature key composers, musicians, and producers from North Carolina.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
Many of the favorite Christmas songs of a previous generation were torchy ballads.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2025
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 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
The Grammy winner — who released the new album After Hours earlier this month — points to other rock bands who’ve found success with ballads, like Journey and Nickelback, as more ammunition for his frustration.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
These interludes are like ballads in-between heavy power chord tunes at a stadium rock concert; an experience somewhat akin to watching a big loud action movie such as this.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Months after its release, singles from the Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers wound their way up the radio charts alongside alt-rock holdovers and glistening pop ballads.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
These events will spotlight traditional musical practices, from Appalachian ballads to gospel choirs, and will feature key composers, musicians, and producers from North Carolina.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
Many of the favorite Christmas songs of a previous generation were torchy ballads.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
-
And since leaving prison in early January, the preacher has wasted no time in spreading his gospel in a tranche of new songs published on his social media platforms.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike many of his Latin pop predecessors, who released songs in English in hopes of broadening their audience, the singer has not recorded any full-length English material across his six studio albums.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Accompanied by ringing bells, ethereal music and chanting hymns, the priests gracefully moved their arms in unison, holding up various flaming brass lamps during the 45-minute serene and powerful ritual.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The old Latin Mass features readings and hymns in Latin with the priest facing the altar, his back to the faithful in the pews.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The song’s lyrics come from a poem his great grandmother penned more than a century ago.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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More uncomfortable than the album’s distorted genrebending are Han’s lyrics, which narrate confessional and confrontational male desire.—
James Gui,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Longtime fans who adore her babymaker R&B anthems may be initially disappointed with the musical eclecticism.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
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In addition, the anthems of each nation will not be played should any of the AINs take gold atop the podium for an event.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The soundtrack for the full-band pic features a staticky guitar line with melodic vocals that doo-doo-doo (and the studio shot sounds very similar).—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
-
While the British singer’s longing vocals and smooth hooks take obvious cues from ’90s and 2000s’ R&B, her bouncy and moody SoCal sound aligns her with the present.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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