softball

American  

[sawft-bawl, soft-] / ˈsɔftˌbɔl, ˈsɒft- /

noun

• softballs
  plural

1. a form of baseball played on a smaller diamond with a ball that is larger and softer than a baseball.

2. the ball itself.

3. something that can be easily dealt with.

   The confirmation committee threw her a softball on that question.

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softball British  

/ ˈsɒftˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a variation of baseball using a larger softer ball, pitched underhand

2. the ball used

3. cookery the stage in the boiling of a sugar syrup at which it may be rubbed into balls after dipping in cold water

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• softballs
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of softball

First recorded in 1925–30; soft + ball ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

softball softballs

Cricket, tennis and softball were all disrupted to varying degrees for a second day in a row.

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

Sepulveda said the softball program also is being looked at because of the addition of a new fence that was not authorized and is being demolished.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

There was the time Justin qualified for track nationals in the softball throw — the kids were too young for shot put.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

From “Coffee With Comrades” and socialist softball to karaoke and speed dating, Joshua Chaffin and Maya Davis look at how fast-growing chapters are trying to turn the “DSA-curious” into active members.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

The children in the class study without interest, wishing they could be at ballet or softball practice instead.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

But that doesn't appear to be her closing podcast strategy, evidenced in her choice to spend a straightforward hour with Shannon Sharpe tossing her policy softballs on "Club Shay Shay."

From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2024

In fairness, Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch peppered Patterson with favorable softballs, some of which the attorney bafflingly whiffed.

From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2024

The stool or ottoman comes with four different cushions resembling giant, fruit-toned softballs that can be swapped out.

From New York Times ● Apr. 15, 2024

Tossed rings will clink and fall between bottles; guns will limply squirt water into the mouths of clowns; mushy softballs will knock over nothing.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 18, 2023

Out came the platters of boiled beef, the bowls of gravy and red cabbage, the knodels as big as softballs.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

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