as in cargoes
heavy material (such as rocks or water) that is put on a ship to make it steady or on a balloon to control its height in the air
—often used figuratively
A large amount of ballast kept the boat from capsizing. She provided the ballast the family needed in times of stress.
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Recent Examples of ballasts
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.
—
Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Have bricks or river rocks concealed out of sight and ready to use as ballasts to hold the cloth in place against winds.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Cheaper options or knock-offs tend to come with flimsy sockets, buzzing ballasts, or unreliable switches, which can make rooms look cheap or dated far sooner than expected and even create fire hazards.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Have bricks or river rocks concealed out of sight and ready to use as ballasts to hold the cloth in place against winds.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Cheaper options or knock-offs tend to come with flimsy sockets, buzzing ballasts, or unreliable switches, which can make rooms look cheap or dated far sooner than expected and even create fire hazards.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballasts
Noun
-
The refinery, one of China’s largest independent facilities, has received Iranian oil cargoes from sanctioned shadow fleet vessels since at least 2023.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The reduced movement underscores just how quickly hopes unraveled that cargoes could once again resume.—
Prejula Prem,
Bloomberg,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Engineers can simulate movements, loads, and environmental conditions before real deployment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
However, there are moments of reprieve between loads of clothes, sheets, and towels.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The attack happened just as Ust-Luga resumed crude loadings over weekend after days of disruptions amid attacks in the region.—
Bloomberg News,
Bloomberg,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Across multiple designs and operating conditions, CNTF heaters consistently achieved higher specific power loadings than comparable metal-alloy elements.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The problems have delayed the launch of several payloads for the US Space Force.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Both variants of the vessel are designed for long endurance missions of up to 8,000 nautical miles (about 9,200 miles or 14,800 km) and can carry payloads of up to 55,000 pounds (25 metric tons).—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a workout area that’s partially open to the elements with weights, a trampoline, rowing machine and stretch bands, but a treadmill and other cardio equipment would be a good addition for runners.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In peak-pandemic times, even something as simple as working out was a challenge, so his coaches at Forest Hills Northern High School personally delivered weights to players’ homes.—
Bomani Jones,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But those efforts might be better spent on easing caregivers’ administrative burdens than replacing their face time with patients.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Blanche said the changes bring gun regulations in line with Supreme Court precedent while cutting down on unnecessary burdens on firearms sellers and lawful gun owners.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the past two drafts, Ohio State has had 25 players picked, tied for the most in a two-year span.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
After a Mass Save energy assessment, her home was insulated, drafts sealed, and her heating system upgraded.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballasts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballasts. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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