sinker

noun

sink·er | \ ˈsiŋ-kər

How to pronounce sinker (audio)

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Definition of sinker

1 : one that sinks specifically : a weight for sinking a fishing line, seine, or sounding line

2 : doughnut

3 : a fastball that sinks as it reaches the plate

— called also sinker ball

Examples of sinker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Aaron let the first four pitches go by, the count reaching 3 and 1, and then Billingham delivered a sinker that headed toward the outside part of the plate but tailed in. — Richard Goldstein, Star Tribune, "Hank Aaron, baseball Hall of Famer and legendary home run hitter, dies at 86," 22 Jan. 2021 Valaika's hit occurred just before Ruiz lined a 3-1 sinker from Robert Gsellman into the right field seats to turn the game into a rout. — Larry Fleisher, Star Tribune, "Orioles hit four homers, beat Mets 11-2," 8 Sep. 2020 Phelps, 33, relies on a cutter-sinker-curveball repertoire that is routinely netting the right-hander soft contact. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Health and technology have both played a role in the resurgence of Brewers reliever David Phelps," 19 Aug. 2020 Picked up a cutter and a sinker, can split the plate with that, and has a really slow curveball. — Matt Kawahara, SFChronicle.com, "A’s Chris Bassitt says start against White Sox, who drafted him, will be ‘special’," 29 Sep. 2020 Gerry’s favorite is the Spro Aruku Shad model 75, a half-ounce fast-sinker that’s also known as a great producer at Guntersville and other lakes. — Frank Sargeant, al, "Rattlebait Time on Alabama Lakes," 30 Dec. 2020 The rig features a sinker shaped like a shoe horn and is designed to slide through and over rocks without getting snagged. — James R. Hagerty, WSJ, "Fishing Guide Reeled In Fame and Redemption," 10 Dec. 2020 Crichton went to a full count on Pujols before jamming him with a sinker down and in, inducing a weak pop fly to left to end the game. — Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, "Stefan Crichton seizing opportunity in closer’s role for Diamondbacks," 19 Sep. 2020 Seager pulled a towering shot to right on a 73-mph curveball, and Turner connected on a 93-mph sinker that went 418 feet to straightaway center. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Seager homers again, Dodgers force NLCS Game 7 with 3-1 win," 18 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sinker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

27 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Sinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sinker. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for sinker

sinker

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sinker

: a weight used for holding a fishing line or net underwater

baseball : a fast pitch that drops lower as it reaches home plate

See the full definition for sinker in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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