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
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Recent Examples of bat
Chandelis Duster, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox bats fell quiet once again in Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking the club’s third straight loss at a time in the season where the club can’t afford any slip-ups.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
While his five home runs in August are second most of any month this season, Hernandez is batting just.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bat
Noun
Bader talked with the young fan and gave him an autographed baseball bat.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox bats fell quiet once again in Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking the club’s third straight loss at a time in the season where the club can’t afford any slip-ups.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
The 28-year-old infielder batted ninth and started at third base for the Pirates, going 0 for 3 with a walk in his team’s 5-2 loss.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
While his five home runs in August are second most of any month this season, Hernandez is batting just.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat
Noun
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Rodgers took four sacks and three other hits, including multiple heavy blows.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Councilman Edwin Peacock called the incident a blow to public trust and urged both Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and police to reassess security measures.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As Simeon and Tupe engaged in soothing effleurage and loudly vigorous tapotement, respectively, six Maori women surrounded their tables and sang folk songs in harmony, guided by an elder in the audience with a long, gnarled cane.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Now 77, widowed, remarried and using hearing aids and a cane, Novy hasn’t seen an increase in his $1,575 monthly worker’s compensation check — nor have the other more than 300 other PTD recipients — since 2016.—
TOM KERTSCHER,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Common symptoms include excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, and digestive issues.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
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The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some of the most notable included the iconic bell tower, the central fountain, the roaming pack of feral cats, and the massive gingko trees that loomed over a section of the academic quad and carpeted the sidewalks with golden leaves each fall.—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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In its world, resurrected mammoths roam, AI governs underground facilities, and human-animal hybrids embody both triumph and ambiguity.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And the thump, thump, thumping of her brother’s hands pounding a heavy bag.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
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Collins brings some thump to the four spot at no cost after next season.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Video footage verified by CNN shows the moment an officer draws his baton amid a struggle with one demonstrator as other officers tussle with protesters on the ground.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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This is not just the violence of batons or bullets, but the quieter devastation inflicted by law through denial, deferral or bureaucratic neglect.—
Hansel Alejandro Aguilar,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Mindy Fitzpatrick considered selling her family’s 6-acre wooded lot on Friendly Road.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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Sticker shock, though, is expected to hit when consumers shop for 2026 model year cars and trucks as more of those vehicles arrive at dealer lots, according to Cox Automotive.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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