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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bat
Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 31 Oct. 2025
The fans are paying to see the man called the best player on the planet swing the bat, not walk.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Trinity defensive back Chayce Davis, who had a pair of interceptions the week before against Keller, batted the ball out of the hands of the Eaton receiver to preserve the Trojans’ victory.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bat
Noun
Vampire Nuggets – Crispy chicken nuggets shaped like vampire fangs and bats served in a carton designed as a coffin.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 31 Oct. 2025
The fans are paying to see the man called the best player on the planet swing the bat, not walk.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Moreno batted third in the 2023 World Series against the Texas Rangers, with Gurriel sixth.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Trinity defensive back Chayce Davis, who had a pair of interceptions the week before against Keller, batted the ball out of the hands of the Eaton receiver to preserve the Trojans’ victory.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat
Noun
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Michael Owens / Getty Images A struggling Chicago Bears defense was dealt another blow Monday with news that defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles and is going to miss the rest of the season.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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The rain came down sideways, the temperature dipped from the 50s to the 40s, and Inter Miami’s playoff hopes took a big blow on Saturday night as Lionel Messi and his teammates lost 2-1 on the road to Nashville SC.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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To help your plants establish, make sure to get potted raspberries in the ground at least 4 to 6 weeks before frost is expected, or choose bare root canes, which are dormant and can be planted even later in the season, as long as the ground isn't frozen.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
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While many families serve yeast rolls or buttery garlic bread alongside their main courses, the dinners eaten around the oak table of my childhood featured pillowy soft biscuits with a side of cane syrup.—
Ivy Odom,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The contestants then had to compete in a physically taxing challenge that involved pushing a heavy cart along a bumpy path, stacking sand bags, climbing ladders, knocking discs off poles, and then finally knocking down four bamboo targets.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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Kelly was fired Sunday, one day after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M dropped the Tigers to 5-3 and all but knocked them out of the College Football Playoff race.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Collins is no doubt licking his chops studying tape of another Patriots rookie, left guard Jared Wilson, who allowed two sacks last weekend.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Soon, orange-red flames began to lick the wall and the roof’s open eaves.—
Ingfei Chen,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some locals believe founder Charles Pfister still roams the property, according to reports, and even celebrities like rapper Megan Thee Stallion have gone ghost hunting there.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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To the south is the entrance to Custer State Park, where bison roam freely.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The result is that the sonic boom becomes a sonic thump of 60 dB to 80 dB, or about that of a car door closing for those on the ground.—
David Szondy
October 28,
New Atlas,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are all about feeling every thump, and beat.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Rosenthal said the idea of passing on the baton at Tribeca had been in our mind for some time.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
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While foreign investors lit the fuse on this year’s rally, domestic players have taken the baton forward.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shein—a global fast-fashion juggernaut headquartered in Singapore—was mere days away from opening its first physical store in Paris, inside the BHV Marais department store, when the news hit.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
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Rojas, a light-hitting infielder, hit an unexpected home run in the ninth inning of Game Seven to tie it and force extra innings, when the Dodgers won it.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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