knuckleball
noun
knuck·le·ball
ˈnə-kəl-ˌbȯl 
: a slow baseball pitch that moves erratically and unpredictably and that is thrown with little spin by gripping the ball with the knuckles or the tips of the fingers pressed against the top
Examples of knuckleball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Maldonado’s challenge was on a knuckleball from Waldron that barely nicked the bottom of the zone.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Lewis, who was the Twins’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2023, throws a mid-80s knuckleball as part of an otherwise traditional five-pitch mix that includes a low-90s fastball.
—Aaron Gleeman, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Predicting where a great knuckleball will cross the plate is easier than forecasting free-agent baseball player signings.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The Chiefs got a big boost when Dicker botched the ensuing kickoff, booting a knuckleball that failed to reach the landing zone, thereby allowing Kansas City to begin the final drive on its 40-yard line.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for knuckleball
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.
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Lewis, who was the Twins’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2023, throws a mid-80s knuckleball as part of an otherwise traditional five-pitch mix that includes a low-90s fastball.
—Aaron Gleeman, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Predicting where a great knuckleball will cross the plate is easier than forecasting free-agent baseball player signings.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The Chiefs got a big boost when Dicker botched the ensuing kickoff, booting a knuckleball that failed to reach the landing zone, thereby allowing Kansas City to begin the final drive on its 40-yard line.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for knuckleball
Cite this Entry
“Knuckleball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knuckleball. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knuckleball
noun
knuck·le·ball
ˈnək-əl-ˌbȯl
: a baseball pitch gripped with the knuckles or fingertips and thrown with very little spin
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share