1
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
I'm still in this ball game, so don't count me out yet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ball games
Set the scene Arriving here at golden hour, past a paddock of horses and a wildflower field in which children are playing ball games, feels impossibly idyllic.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The two fans each have enough battery life to last through outdoor activities like ball games and day trips to Disney, or to keep you cool during a long car ride or a medium-length flight.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
In addition to the youth ball games, the family visited some spring-training ballparks, including the one in Surprise, Arizona, where the Royals train.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
At least not as long as the Knicks are winning ball games.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
From sports and ball games to jewelry-making and creative workshops, there is something to delight every child.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Under the old policy, alcohol sales were still prohibited during Burleson Youth Association ball games or practices.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Nov. 2025
After approval from church leadership, chairwoman Lisa Stocco infused the event with more than 20 Gophers football players serving as guest pitchers and coaches for the event’s centerpiece whiffle ball games.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
There have been 74 pitchers who have started at least 440 ball games since 1920, and Kershaw is the only one who hasn’t surpassed triple-digit losses according to Baseball-Reference.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The two fans each have enough battery life to last through outdoor activities like ball games and day trips to Disney, or to keep you cool during a long car ride or a medium-length flight.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
In addition to the youth ball games, the family visited some spring-training ballparks, including the one in Surprise, Arizona, where the Royals train.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
At least not as long as the Knicks are winning ball games.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
From sports and ball games to jewelry-making and creative workshops, there is something to delight every child.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Under the old policy, alcohol sales were still prohibited during Burleson Youth Association ball games or practices.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Nov. 2025
After approval from church leadership, chairwoman Lisa Stocco infused the event with more than 20 Gophers football players serving as guest pitchers and coaches for the event’s centerpiece whiffle ball games.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
There have been 74 pitchers who have started at least 440 ball games since 1920, and Kershaw is the only one who hasn’t surpassed triple-digit losses according to Baseball-Reference.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ball games
Noun
-
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With Venus in Gemini aligning with Pluto in Aquarius, honest conversations help shift situations that have been stuck.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Yet context means little in situations like Wolves’.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For Braylon, one of the most consequential shots in March Madness history opened doors in this new age of NIL compensation and endorsement deals, which had an equalizing factor in his decision between going off to the NBA as a likely first-round pick or spending another year in college.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His personal struggles growing up with an absent dad and being a young man of color who comes from a low-income family soon take a toll on him.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Horner's mother testified last week, telling the jury about her own struggles with drugs and spending parts of Horner's childhood in jail.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Participants will board a 4-wheel-drive for a bumpy 13-mile tour with frequent stops for pictures, sketches and questions.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The following slide proved that the bribe worked, as Emma adorably smiled in her school pictures, and the results were perfection.—
Georgia Slater,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What is noteworthy is how much energy has been sapped from each respective squad from other competitions.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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Ellis has scored twice and added two assists in his last three games across all competitions.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Dozens of onboard cameras capture the action during tight high-speed duels, while sensors stream more than 35,000 data points per second to onshore coaches.—
G.W. Allen,
Robb Report,
26 Apr. 2026
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Havertz’s smart movement, greater technical security, and a bit more nous in the duels help those around him to play better.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ball games.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ball%20games. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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