as in songs
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
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Recent Examples of ballads
That boy might be a hip-hop lover, that boy might be a rock lover or love ballads.
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Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2024
Because Wisdom, from Havana (a tiny suburb of Tallahassee), fuses the tropical bounce of Florida street rap with the tenderness in the ballads of Southern and Midwestern truth-tellers.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2024
Payne’s inflections shined the most on ballads like these, where there was nothing but vocals and guitars.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
In that short span of time, the rock guitarist, singer and composer became one of the most successful and influential musicians of his era – blending rock, soul, blues and jazz into complex ballads that would transform popular music.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024
One glance at her iconic artistry reveals a legendary discography of soulful ballads that position her as one of the most influential voices in R&B.
—Kenneth J. Williams Jr., Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
The show takes off from there, an hour and a half of glitzy group dance sequences, intimate ballads, and winking innuendos set in a two-story New York City penthouse.
—Lucy Feldman, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
There will not be any ballads at the Vice-Presidential debate on Tuesday.
—David Fontana, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2024
Because Wisdom, from Havana (a tiny suburb of Tallahassee), fuses the tropical bounce of Florida street rap with the tenderness in the ballads of Southern and Midwestern truth-tellers.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2024
Payne’s inflections shined the most on ballads like these, where there was nothing but vocals and guitars.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
In that short span of time, the rock guitarist, singer and composer became one of the most successful and influential musicians of his era – blending rock, soul, blues and jazz into complex ballads that would transform popular music.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024
One glance at her iconic artistry reveals a legendary discography of soulful ballads that position her as one of the most influential voices in R&B.
—Kenneth J. Williams Jr., Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
The show takes off from there, an hour and a half of glitzy group dance sequences, intimate ballads, and winking innuendos set in a two-story New York City penthouse.
—Lucy Feldman, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
There will not be any ballads at the Vice-Presidential debate on Tuesday.
—David Fontana, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballads
Noun
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Compare your picks with Pitchfork’s own lists of the best songs and best albums of the 2020s so far, and check out all of our half-decade coverage here.Pitchfork, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2024
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As the world continues to listen to Guts and the songs featured on it, one of Rodrigo’s earliest singles is back on the Billboard charts—one, in particular.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The song's groovy, slightly mysterious lyrics and dreamy synths (with plenty of space reserved for Miller's signature guitar) ultimately pushed it up to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in September 1982.Piet Levy, Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2024
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With heartfelt lyrics and a powerful melody, the song encourages listeners to rise above their struggles and find strength in their beliefs.Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The chords and harmonies of Williams' music sound similar to the poppy anthems of that cinematic three-ring circus, and the choreography team of Ashley Wallen and Jenny Griffin reunite with Gracey to contextualize Williams' worldwide hits with new dance numbers.EW.com, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024
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Still part of youth culture, my mom and dad exposed me to a vibrant mix of freestyle beats, Madonna anthems, and Hot 97.Sarah Carrillo, refinery29.com, 16 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Powered by ethereal melodies and splashes of Latin rhythms that build the intensity, the song allows Valenzuela and Spalla’s dreamy vocals to take center stage.Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2024
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The song got an award nomination at the 2000 Grammys, in the best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals category.Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ballads
Cite this Entry
“Ballads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballads. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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