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
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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.
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Recent Examples of bat
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
In three at-bats of a 4-1 win against San Diego Monday, McCutchen made his spring debut with a double, two balls that left the bat at over 100 mph, took a pair of counts to full and saw 16 pitches overall.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Republicans nearly uniformly batted it down, with the help of a few Democrats.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bat
Noun
But fielding and throwing is not nearly as strenuous on the oblique as swinging a bat.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
In three at-bats of a 4-1 win against San Diego Monday, McCutchen made his spring debut with a double, two balls that left the bat at over 100 mph, took a pair of counts to full and saw 16 pitches overall.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Rockies are batting 0 for 100, even before the season’s first pitch.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Republicans nearly uniformly batted it down, with the help of a few Democrats.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat
Noun
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And the loss of Amarion Dickerson, who would’ve been a key rotation piece, ended up being a major blow for a team that was counting on everyone at the top of the rotation to deliver.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
His win in Istanbul in 2019 represented a crushing blow to Erdogan, whose own political ascent began as the city’s mayor.—
Beril Akman,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Coffee is also on the menu alongside fruit teas, tropical slushees and sugar cane juice.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
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For new blueberry bushes, the first few years of pruning should maintain the structure of the shrub and won't require as much pruning as older bushes since there are no old canes to remove.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the combination of rising oil prices, and the demand knocking at Moscow's door, Vladimir Vladimirovich's war against Ukraine might could be much better funded for the rest of the year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The dog ignored him, and licked the boy’s face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At least three other crocodile species roamed an area to the south known as the Eastern Rift Valley.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
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Gazelles roam freely near the refineries and depots that make Kharg one of Iran’s most valuable — and sensitive — assets.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There was a sudden, loud thump, and Bernie Watermolen brought us awake with a yell that was enough to raise the dead.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
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Pitchers and catchers report This week, Albernaz gets a glimpse of his pitching staff and catchers, before the thump of an offensive lineup joins the workouts.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The film hands off its plot like a baton, passing from this dissatisfied shopper to a factory owner to her dead daughter-in-law (another ghost) who petitions the government for her civil rights despite being in the body of an appliance.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Edris steals a glance at a dozen or two golden batons rising at eye level.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The mobile margarita bar in an an old VW van was an Instagram hit - and served a pretty perfect cocktail.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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The Big 12 player of the year hit the game-winner from the right side — while also falling to his right with the Cyclones’ Killyan Toure closely guarding.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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