pinch-hit

1 of 2

verb

ˈpinch-ˈhit 

ˌpinch-

pinch-hit; pinch-hitting; pinch-hits

intransitive verb

1

: to act or serve in place of another

2

: to bat in the place of another player especially when a hit is particularly needed

pinch hit

2 of 2

noun

: a hit made by a pinch hitter

Synonyms of pinch-hit

Verb

• substitute

Examples of pinch-hit in a Sentence

Verb

assigned to pinch-hit as a math teacher for the remainder of the semester

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rodolfo Durán pinch-hit for Hunt in the ninth inning and caught the final two innings. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026

The Mets pinch-hit for the left-handed hitting Jared Young with right-hander Mark Vientos. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026

Noun

Fulford came in to pinch hit for Sterlin Thompson and doubled into the gap between left and center field to put Colorado up 4-3. —CBS News, 20 June 2026

Benitendi pinch hit in the ninth and grounded out to second. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from pinch hitter

First Known Use

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above