1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a sharp bat with a rolled-up newspaper and that fly was a goner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
riot policemen armed with bats and tear gas
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to knock
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
batted the lamp off the table with one strike
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
batted the piñata until it finally broke open
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly
on Sunday afternoons we'd pile into Father's car and bat around the countryside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bat
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
In late July 2022, Duran infamously lost a deep fly ball off the bat of Toronto’s Raimel Tapia with the bases loaded at Fenway Park.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Called up on April 17, 2015, Bryant played third base and batted cleanup in his debut.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bat
Noun
Connor and Georgie found commonalities off the bat, from both being the eldest in their family to sharing a love for ducks.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
In late July 2022, Duran infamously lost a deep fly ball off the bat of Toronto’s Raimel Tapia with the bases loaded at Fenway Park.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
When he’s been in the lineup, Bryant has batted just .244 with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs.
—Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Called up on April 17, 2015, Bryant played third base and batted cleanup in his debut.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat
Noun
-
With a blow of his whistle, all sorts of words applied: pandemonium, euphoria, mania.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
What’s 42 to 43? Into a black place of great blows from the little mountains from the sea came.—
John Berryman,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
An older man walking with a cane was also caught up in the scuffle and fell on his back.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Walking with a cane and recovering from a recent illness, Mr. Lev could not resist doing a little jig as stepped upon it to the cheers of friends and family.—
Dina Kraft,
Christian Science Monitor,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And in Game 5, Doncic injured his back, James knocked knees and Reaves struggled with his outside shot and ability to create separation off drives.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
-
Besides, Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick knock their respective roles out of the park, and if nothing else, the movie’s suiting deserves to be admired (especially given the dress code of this year’s Met Gala).—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Flames were licking the upper branches of tall trees.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
-
While investors are licking their wounds from a plunging stock market, and businesses brace for economic fallout, major investment banks are reaping extraordinary profits, according to Wall Street Journal.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Their cattle then roam the yerba mate plantation, clear the weeds–which both feeds the cattle and eliminates the need for pesticides–and its manure helps enrich the soil.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Residents complain of thieves roaming the streets after dusk.—
Sophie Neiman,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
My heart thumps, in sync with the pitter-patter of feet on the ground.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Outlook Single Double Triple Homer Texas moved quickly to bring in Pederson after trading Nathaniel Lowe, sacrificing a lot of fielding value but maintaining similar left-handed thump for the lineup.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
When more officers got to the scene, while officers held Nichols' arms and hit him with a barrage of kicks, punches, baton strikes and pepper spray.—
Jack Armstrong,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
-
Video of the beating, captured by a police pole camera, showed Nichols being held by his arms as officers punched, kicked and struck him with a baton, according to reports from the AP and The Commercial Appeal newspaper.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot, crossing over Antetokounmpo and driving to the basket for a right-handed layup with 1.3 seconds left.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
-
Batters are hitting just .075 against his four-seam fastball and .167 against his changeup.—
Jim Bowden,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share