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
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
The Giants have come a long way from Mark Mathias pinch-hitting for Brandon Crawford.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Melissa Lockard, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
From there, Jorian Wilson pinch hit for Kiel II and hit a double that drove in another run before Sorrell's single drove in Wilson for the Aggies' 21st run of the game.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
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Verb
Travis Chestnut pinch-hit for Royo and laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
The Giants have come a long way from Mark Mathias pinch-hitting for Brandon Crawford.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
With his team down by a run in the bottom of the ninth, Araúz pinch hit for Allen Córdoba and grounded out weakly to second base.
—Melissa Lockard, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
From there, Jorian Wilson pinch hit for Kiel II and hit a double that drove in another run before Sorrell's single drove in Wilson for the Aggies' 21st run of the game.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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