stress ball
noun
: a small ball or other object made of soft material (such as rubber) that one can squeeze with the hand to relieve stress and that usually resumes its original shape when released
In one study, sixth-graders who used stress balls were less distracted in class. The toys could also be more helpful for some people than others; in that study, students who were kinesthetic learners tended to use the stress balls more, and get more of an attention benefit from them.—
Julie Beck
Julie BeckThe idea for using a stress ball is to transfer your stress, tension and anxiety into the ball by squeezing it as best you can, and then release. The ball's job is to absorb it all! Unlike paper that you wad up tightly in your hand, the ball quickly returns to its original shape when the pressure is released.—Kim Harris
Kim HarrisFinally, it was time to meet the one who instigated this comparison. The day McDonald's was delivered, we received a package with score cards, a stress ball in the shape of a burger and the laminated photo you see next to the meal.—Anne Marie Panoringan
Anne Marie PanoringanExamples of stress ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adorable Riley is now 13, which means Anxiety (Maya Hawke) has made her way to Headquarters, usurping Joy’s (Amy Poehler) authority and turning this precocious teen into a self-conscious stress ball desperate to be liked.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 14 June 2024
Two of the smoke shops were also selling another, perhaps even more innovative product: a vape with a soft silicon exterior that can be squeezed like a stress ball, dubbed the TopShine Squeeze 10000.
—Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 25 June 2024
In a gnarly touch, the ad closes out with a yellow-emoji stress ball exploding through its eyes.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 May 2024
Isabella then documents the moment a nurse accesses the chemo port in her upper stomach, closing her eyes and squeezing a stress ball as the needle was inserted.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Anyone’s muscles can feel a little cramped after an especially tense workday—maybe from being hunched over a laptop, glued to a rigid chair, standing for hours, or even squeezing a stress ball for dear life.
—Erica Sweeney, SELF, 21 Feb. 2024
Discover new ways to experience touch through everyday objects, such as by squeezing stress balls or using soft or weighted blankets.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Sew for Love will be meeting at St. Barts Church in San Mateo on January 15th to sew pocket love animals and stress balls for community members.
—Shae Hammond, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024
Price at time of publish: $30 Preparing for final exams is anxiety inducing to say the least, but this stress ball can help provide some relief.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2023
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.
Will Leitch, Vulture, 14 June 2024
Two of the smoke shops were also selling another, perhaps even more innovative product: a vape with a soft silicon exterior that can be squeezed like a stress ball, dubbed the TopShine Squeeze 10000.
—Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 25 June 2024
In a gnarly touch, the ad closes out with a yellow-emoji stress ball exploding through its eyes.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 May 2024
Isabella then documents the moment a nurse accesses the chemo port in her upper stomach, closing her eyes and squeezing a stress ball as the needle was inserted.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Anyone’s muscles can feel a little cramped after an especially tense workday—maybe from being hunched over a laptop, glued to a rigid chair, standing for hours, or even squeezing a stress ball for dear life.
—Erica Sweeney, SELF, 21 Feb. 2024
Discover new ways to experience touch through everyday objects, such as by squeezing stress balls or using soft or weighted blankets.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Sew for Love will be meeting at St. Barts Church in San Mateo on January 15th to sew pocket love animals and stress balls for community members.
—Shae Hammond, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024
Price at time of publish: $30 Preparing for final exams is anxiety inducing to say the least, but this stress ball can help provide some relief.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near stress ball
Cite this Entry
“Stress ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stress%20ball. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share