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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Recent Examples of ballads
Hip hop, classic rock, ballads.
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Meghan Mahar, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
Singing over gruff hip-hop beats and ethereal minimalist ballads, the Argentine singer weaves a provocative tale of self-discovery with diaristic lyrics that excavate self-acceptance, intense romance and emotional maturity.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Because my album was full of ballads.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024
This nascent subgenre flows directly from Woody Guthrie’s suite of murder ballads, which gave the workingman’s lament an infusion of antihero glamour.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
So the shooter was the subject of murder ballads and general sympathy, even a look-alike contest.
—Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
These are ballads about cheating and addiction, and reflections on wistful memories and true love.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
The group also stood out from the pack in its projection of feminist strength; while many TRL-era starlets released moony-eyed ballads declaring devotion to their men, Destiny’s Child seemed far more comfortable singing about demanding more from them, or not needing them at all.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Dec. 2024
Since the first Disney feature animation in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, these songs have taken on a myriad of forms, from silly tunes about cleaning up to dramatic ballads concerning a primal human need for something more.
—Barry Levitt, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
Meghan Mahar, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
Singing over gruff hip-hop beats and ethereal minimalist ballads, the Argentine singer weaves a provocative tale of self-discovery with diaristic lyrics that excavate self-acceptance, intense romance and emotional maturity.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Because my album was full of ballads.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024
This nascent subgenre flows directly from Woody Guthrie’s suite of murder ballads, which gave the workingman’s lament an infusion of antihero glamour.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
So the shooter was the subject of murder ballads and general sympathy, even a look-alike contest.
—Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
These are ballads about cheating and addiction, and reflections on wistful memories and true love.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
The group also stood out from the pack in its projection of feminist strength; while many TRL-era starlets released moony-eyed ballads declaring devotion to their men, Destiny’s Child seemed far more comfortable singing about demanding more from them, or not needing them at all.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Dec. 2024
Since the first Disney feature animation in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, these songs have taken on a myriad of forms, from silly tunes about cleaning up to dramatic ballads concerning a primal human need for something more.
—Barry Levitt, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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In fact, many had come just for Dylan, whose latest album—featuring an electric backing band and just two protest songs—sounded properly like rock.Grant Wong, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
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The formative years of Dylan’s career took place in the 1960s, a decade that the artist chronicled and grappled with through his topical songs.Grant Wong, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Viewers met Samberg as Clementine, who's playing keyboard and crooning his heart out in his apartment to ridiculous lyrics that seem to be about a girl who's — an actual drink?Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 24 Dec. 2024
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Brewer & Shipley found success in the late 1960s and early 1970s for their socially conscious lyrics and commentary on the Vietnam War.Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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So in an era when dozens of new Christmas albums and songs flood the zone in search of classic standing, what explains the strength of Carey and Lee’s anthems?Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 20 Dec. 2024
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Dylan also rejected being a political figure — even though his songs became political anthems.Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In 1977, Vandross introduced Anderson to Rodgers and his writing partner Bernard Edwards, who were forming the then-new group, Chic, with Tony Thompson on drums and Norma Jean Wright on lead vocals.DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 Dec. 2024
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As the string instruments begin to play, the star looks around before launching into the lyrics, showing off her vocals.Anna Chan, Billboard, 23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ballads
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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