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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
The bats are coming alive lower in the order, helping the Mets turn over the lineup and as a result, creating scoring opportunities for Juan Soto.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Beren Cross, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Ewing came up to bat with two outs.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bat
Noun
Just got to hang in there and just kind of keep taking good at-bats.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
The bats are coming alive lower in the order, helping the Mets turn over the lineup and as a result, creating scoring opportunities for Juan Soto.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Verb
Nobody would have batted an eyelid if Dunk or the goalkeeper had got there before him.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Ewing came up to bat with two outs.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat
Noun
-
For a club already facing relegation on the pitch, their own fans may have just dealt them the final, crushing blow.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
The decision by the Senate's parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, deals a blow to Trump and his administration, which has sought the money for security purposes related to the ballroom.—
Nolan D. McCaskill,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The Rio Grande was twenty feet away, shining between stalks of river cane.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Renovated in 2023, the traditional Goan style continues in guest rooms with parquet floors, cane weave chairs, antique-style wardrobes with mirrors and headboards, and furnished balconies or terraces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The puck had just slipped through Poehling’s skates when McNabb crunched Poehling into the boards, knocking him out for the rest of the game and prompting an official review.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Jones’ challenge has forced Thompson to match his fundraising and door-knocking efforts — both candidates have raised roughly $3 million, their campaigns said.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The parallels between Ines’ dilemma and that of a nation being asked to lick its wounds in silence — in the name of moving on from past miseries — are present but elusive.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 May 2026
-
At one point A’zion licks the digitally de-aged Mick Jagger’s face.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
This particular giant roamed Southeast Asia during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 100 to 120 million years ago.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
The new enclosure will allow the giraffes to roam inside and outside, eliminating what used to be a long walk from the zoo’s African Savanna to their housing barn.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The Yankees need Wells to provide at least some thump in a bottom third of the order that hasn’t been very good.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In 2010, the reform baton passed to California and then to Massachusetts.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
-
The baton has been passed onto other filmmakers.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Andy Pages hit a three-run home run and Max Muncy hit his 12th homer of the season on the next at-bat to break a scoreless game in the fourth inning.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
-
For cocktails and nightlife, hit TopGolf or Nola’s for live music then end the night strong with a table at HQ nightclub where resident and guest DJs keep the dance floor bumping and bottle servers keep the bubbly and energy flowing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
