ˈpinch-ˈhit 
ˌpinch-
pinch-hit; pinch-hitting; pinch-hits
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
: a hit made by a pinch hitter
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
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
In the last 20 years, the Phillies had pinch-hit for their cleanup hitter in the sixth inning or earlier for a non-injury or non-blowout reason only two times.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Trevor Larnach pinch hit for Lewis in the eighth inning.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pinch-hit
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Verb
Johnson, who was on the opening-day roster after spending parts of the previous two seasons with the Padres, has not pinch-hit since April 17.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
In the last 20 years, the Phillies had pinch-hit for their cleanup hitter in the sixth inning or earlier for a non-injury or non-blowout reason only two times.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Noun
The next inning, Dalton Rushing pinch hit for him.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Trevor Larnach pinch hit for Lewis in the eighth inning.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pinch-hit
Cite this Entry
“Pinch-hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinch-hit. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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