softball
11 synonyms and 1 antonym for softball, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A team sport similar to baseball, played with a larger, softer ball.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
easy question
layup question
cinch
diamond ball
indoor baseball
kittenball
mush ball
playground ball
pumpkin ball
town ball
Antonyms
How to use softball
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
play softball
throw a softball question
Etymology
Coined in 1926 from soft + ball, contrasting with the harder ball used in baseball ("hardball").
Full origin of softball →Frequently asked questions
What does “softball” mean?
The word “softball” means a team sport similar to baseball, played with a larger, softer ball. In plain terms, either the bat-and-ball sport, or, informally, an easy question meant to avoid controversy.
How do you use “softball” in a sentence?
Here is “softball” used in a sentence: “She plays softball for her college team.”
What is another word for “softball”?
Words with a similar meaning to “softball” include diamond ball, indoor baseball, kittenball, mush ball, playground ball and pumpkin ball.
What part of speech is “softball”?
“Softball” is a noun.
Where does the word “softball” come from?
The word “softball” dates back to around 1926. Coined in 1926 from soft + ball, contrasting with the harder ball used in baseball ("hardball").
Is “softball” a common word?
“Softball” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “softball” have?
“Softball” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a team sport similar to baseball, played with a larger, softer ball.
What is the difference between softball and baseball?
Softball is a team sport similar to baseball but played with a larger, softer ball, typically on a smaller field with underhand pitching. Baseball uses a smaller, harder ball and overhand pitching.
What does it mean to ask someone a "softball question"?
A softball question is an easy question posed so as not to challenge or embarrass the person answering, often used in interviews or debates to contrast with tougher "hardball" questions.
Why is an easy question called a "softball"?
The term borrows from the sport, where a softball is larger and easier to hit than a baseball, so a "softball question" is figuratively easier to field than a difficult or probing one.
