as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
the issue's been batted around, but nothing's ever been done
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat (around or back and forth)
Verb
-
The coating most often discussed is polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, which is sold under the brand name Teflon.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026 -
Your doctor reviews those forms with you during the visit, discusses your goals and determines which medication is the right fit.—
Jay Sparks,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The zoo’s petition cites several objections to data centers that have been hotly debated nationwide, including their impact on electricity and water resources.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
-
The world is still debating whether this is a short-term disruption while farmers are already being forced to make decisions today that will have consequences next year.—
John W.H. Denton AO,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Lawmakers and the mayor's office are still in talks over key pieces — including the controversial tax on rides booked with apps like Uber and Lyft — with the deadline of council's last session looming.—
Sean Tallant,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Balde is under contract until 2028 and there are no talks over an extension.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Defense attorneys, seated in a long row before Maguire while their clients sat in jail uniforms in the courtroom’s jury box, called the DA’s motion unnecessary, arguing any undue pretrial publicity began with prosecutors’ own news conference at the beginning of their criminal case.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
-
The decision comes after months of public opposition from customers who argued their bills were already among the highest in the state and who urged regulators to reject the increases altogether.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Bat (around or back and forth).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat%20%28around%20or%20back%20and%20forth%29. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
