Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He recalls wandering the sand, his parents scraping tar off the bottoms of his feet and warning him not to step on the small black objects that had balled up on the beach.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2021

The cells were frigid, and many people had balled themselves up to stay warm.

From Washington Times • Nov. 19, 2018

Lodge, he said, had "balled things up" and "has to share whatever blame there is."

From Time Magazine Archive

He had balled his hands into fists, and he was looking at the ground, not at Enoch.

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson

Peter’s fists had balled up again, the nails gouging his sore palms.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker