knuckleball

noun

knuck·​le·​ball ˈnə-kəl-ˌbȯl How to pronounce knuckleball (audio)
: a slow baseball pitch that moves erratically and unpredictably and that is thrown with little spin by gripping the ball with the knuckles or the tips of the fingers pressed against the top
knuckleballer
ˈnə-kəl-ˌbȯ-lər How to pronounce knuckleball (audio)
noun

Examples of knuckleball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Timing is important for Balanag’s knuckleball, more so than for other pitches. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 Waldron relied primarily on his knuckleball yesterday and also leaned on his sinker, cutter and sweeper more than usual. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 Dirty kicks are essentially high-arching knuckleballs that can land in the middle of the field and take an unpredictable bounce or fly at an angle, depending on how the kicker makes contact. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 Bettmann Archive / Getty Images The knuckleball is the everyman pitch. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for knuckleball

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knuckleball was in 1907

Rhymes for knuckleball

See All Rhymes for knuckleball

Browse Nearby Words

knuckle
knuckleball
knuckleballer
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Cite this Entry

“Knuckleball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knuckleball. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

knuckleball

noun
knuck·​le·​ball ˈnək-əl-ˌbȯl How to pronounce knuckleball (audio)
: a baseball pitch gripped with the knuckles or fingertips and thrown with very little spin

More from Merriam-Webster on knuckleball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about knuckleball

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