curveball

noun

curve·​ball ˈkərv-ˌbȯl How to pronounce curveball (audio)
: a slow or moderately fast baseball pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and usually to the left when thrown from the right hand or to the right when thrown from the left hand
curveball verb

Examples of curveball in a Sentence

The batter struck out on a curveball.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The 6-foot-4 Reinke throws in the low 90s with a developing change-up and a curveball. Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 Sometimes life throws you a curveball—or a series of fastballs, sinkers and maybe even a rogue Frisbee! Natasha Cox, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The third week This week came with a bit of a curveball. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025 With two outs in the second inning, Scherzer broke off a looping curveball to the Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt that looked to be below the zone and was called a ball by Ortiz. Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curveball

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curveball was in 1936

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curveball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curveball. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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