bat 1 of 2

noun

ˈbat How to pronounce bat (audio)
Definition of batnext
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

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bat

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

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
Noun
Wind energy, while vital for replacing fossil fuels, faces scrutiny over bird and bat mortality caused by turbine blade collisions. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 Staked to the big lead, Brewers starter Robert Gasser lasted just 3 2/3 innings and was lifted mid-at-bat by manager Pat Murphy after falling behind in the count to Randy Arozarena. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
Jared Young and Brett Baty both bat left-handed, so Morel — who hit 26 homers in 2023 with the Cubs — adds another dynamic there. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2026 New York catcher Alyssa Zettlemoyer worked with Henley, as did Maggie Foxx, who bats fourth for the Los Angeles Queens. — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat
  1. blow
  2. cane
  3. knock
  4. lick
  5. roam
  6. thump
  7. baton
  8. hit
Noun
  • Ferran Torres Torres was not the first-choice striker for Spain at the World Cup, but that did not stop him from landing the decisive blow after his team-mates had spent 106 minutes dominating Argentina without a breakthrough.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But the federal agency that has required companies to collect and report demographic workforce data since 1966 is now working to end that practice, a move some critics say would be a huge blow to civil rights enforcement.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • Capers used his rifle like a cane and limped along, blood sloshing in his jungle boots.
    — Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The mini bar—located inside a gorgeous wooden cabinet—was filled with local spirits like pox, a Mayan liquor made of corn, sugar cane, and wheat, and Mayalen Guerrero mezcal in a bottle so beautiful I was tempted to sneak it back in my suitcase.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of cane
Verb
  • Brands such as Fendi, Pandora, Lush, and Glossier soon came knocking.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
  • His co-worker, Donna DuBray, was part of the group and saw Carbullido fall off, briefly knocking him out.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Owners should also watch for licking that is sudden, persistent or severe enough to cause hair loss or skin damage.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Photos like the one below show children licking massive ice blocks for a slight reprieve from the summer heat.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Even so, an Associated Press photographer on Thursday saw migrants still roaming the streets.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Rammagerðin Skip the puffin shops (what the locals call the run-of-the-mill souvenir stops) and set aside some time to roam around one of Rammagerðin’s locations—my favorite is tucked into Harpa, the opera house designed by Olafur Eliasson.
    — Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of roam
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ramirez was Miami’s primary catcher as a rookie last season and can add some thump to Miami’s lineup, but his work defensively remains underwhelming.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Noun
  • The Omaha Police Department said officers will continue to carry tasers, batons, OC spray and firearms.
    — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Under the baton of music director and early music specialist Peter Whelan, the orchestra starts the day with a program featuring court music from Baroque France.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of baton
Verb
  • Moehrig responded with 103 tackles — one off his 2024 total — while establishing career highs with 14 tackles for loss, three sacks and seven quarterback hits.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The height of hurricane season looms, and Gulf Coast refineries have in the past been derailed by major hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of hit

Phrases Containing bat

Browse Nearby Words

bastions
bat
bat (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bat

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