as in cargo
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ballast
The vessel's captain said on Sunday there was a leak in the fourth cargo tank and oil was leaking into the ballast tank although no fuel spilt into the water and none of the 14 crew members was in danger, according to the Baza Telegram channel.
—
Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
In addition, the stocks may provide a rising, steady income and can be seen as a ballast during times of market volatility.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024
Even as a ballast—a heavy item used to help stabilize a ship—shipping these gravestones would have been expensive.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
They are also well placed to help provide tools needed to rebuild the country: security ballast from Turkey, the NATO military power on Syria’s northern border, and oil millions from the Gulf.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballast 
Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
In addition, the stocks may provide a rising, steady income and can be seen as a ballast during times of market volatility.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024
Even as a ballast—a heavy item used to help stabilize a ship—shipping these gravestones would have been expensive.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
They are also well placed to help provide tools needed to rebuild the country: security ballast from Turkey, the NATO military power on Syria’s northern border, and oil millions from the Gulf.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballast
Noun
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Dex gives him mouth-to-mouth to revive him and then … leaves him on the cargo ship.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
14 Feb. 2025
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Twelve cargo carriers operate from Colombia and nine from Ecuador.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The income numbers were a heavy improvement from the year-ago quarter, which saw a $442 million loss and $839 million in EBITDA, largely on the back of higher freight rates due to mass rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2025
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The retailer took an $80 million loss due to elevated freight costs in its fourth quarter of 2021 reported on March 2.—
Jeff Nash,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
An expert shares simple tips to enhance your appliance and achieve sparkling dishes after every load.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2025
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The cargo ship, which wrecked in 1857, had been carrying a load of gold.—
Bethany Bruner,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The first phase of the Pavilion renovation, addressing backstage infrastructure such as artist facilities and loading areas, is already underway, according to comments and photographs provided by Ravinia President and CEO Jeff Haydon.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2025
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And Hyundai designed the cargo area to sit lower than the average SUV for easier loading and unloading.—
Scotty Reiss,
Parents,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Primary payload was commercial company Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander headed to the moon.—
Richard Tribou,
Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
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Resilience, which isn't carrying any NASA payloads, is ispace's second moon lander.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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One example can be as simple as shipments that are missing bills of lading or origin documents.—
Forbes,
Forbes,
1 June 2021
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According to bills of lading and other records provided to the San Antonio Express-News by officials at 23 food banks, CRE8AD8 delivered about 147,000 boxes total to food banks.—
Tom Orsborn,
ExpressNews.com,
1 July 2020
Noun
-
With its struggling economy, Egypt is drowning under the burden of millions of jobless Sudanese and Libyan refugees, along with 100,000 Gazans.—
Trudy Rubin,
Twin Cities,
9 Feb. 2025
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With a veteran-laden roster and burden of expectation on his shoulders, the pressure appeared to be getting to head coach Nick Sirianni.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Ship capacity transiting through the Panama Canal was 10 percent lower between September 2024 and January 2025 than the 2019-22 average, measured in deadweight tonnage, according to the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO).—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Feb. 2025
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It was sent to space as a piece of deadweight on the inaugural test flight of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, and the vehicle is now destined to spend eternity soaring aimlessly through our cosmic neighborhood.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ballast
Cite this Entry
“Ballast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballast. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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