pinch hitter

noun

: one that pinch-hits

Synonyms of pinch hitter

• replacement
• substitute
• backup

Examples of pinch hitter in a Sentence

the business owners brought in a pinch hitter until a permanent manager could be hired

Recent Examples on the Web

Eaton, meanwhile, would function primarily as a late-inning pinch hitter or runner who might occasionally start against left-handers. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

Witt, as the youngest member of Team USA at the 2023 WBC, appeared in only five games — three as a pinch-runner, one as a pinch hitter, one as a defensive replacement. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Panama’s Jonathan Araúz exchanged shouts and pushes with manager José Mayorga when the pinch hitter returned to the dugout after grounding out leading off the ninth. —Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026

Panama's Jonathan Araúz exchanged shouts and pushes with manager José Mayorga when the pinch hitter returned to the dugout after grounding out leading off the ninth. —CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pinch hitter

• embitter
• emitter
• outfitter
• remitter
• submitter
• transmitter
• babysitter
• bitter
• critter
• fitter
• fritter
• glitter

Kids Definition

pinch hitter

noun

1

: a baseball player sent in to bat for another especially when a hit is needed

2

: a person called upon to do another's work in an emergency

pinch-hit

(ˈ)pinch-ˈhit

verb