as in nuts
having or showing a very abnormal or sick state of mind
by film's end it's obvious that faded movie star Norma Desmond is completely bats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hits
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
2
as in canes
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 knocks
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 licks
to strike repeatedly
batted the piñata until it finally broke open
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in roams
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bats
Adjective
-
Contrary to popular belief, peanuts are actually not nuts.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
30 Mar. 2023 -
Nonetheless, April 5, 2022, was nuts.—
Childs Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2023
Verb
-
When the biggest name in the sport jumps teams, a tsunami hits.—
Olivia Hicks,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Snow White hits theaters on March 21.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
-
Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
State troopers violently attacked the unarmed demonstrators with batons and tear gas — images that shocked the nation and prompted LBJ to give his emergency address to Congress.—
Russell Contreras,
Axios,
22 Mar. 2025
-
State troopers violently attacked the unarmed demonstrators with batons and tear gas — images that shocked the nation and prompted President Lyndon Johnson to give an emergency address to Congress.—
Axios,
Axios,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
As one of the few original Squid Game cast members returning for the second season, Wi Ha-joon will continue his quest as the police officer Hwang Jun-ho, who is desperate to find his missing brother and ultimately wanders into the sadistic games.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Back in the woods, a band of militiamen wanders up to Jamie, beating the living daylights out of Lord John, and intervenes.—
Lincee Ray,
EW.com,
14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
With his shock of spiky hair and adrenaline rushes, Smith turns a corporate villain into a lunatic new-wave frontman.—
Charles McNultyTheater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2023
-
The first personality is the lunatic, chaotic artist, with no limits.—
John Bleasdale,
Variety,
8 Dec. 2022
Noun
-
Employers today want people who can roll with the punches, adapt to different work setups, and thrive in any environment.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Employers today want people who can roll with the punches, adapt to different work setups, and thrive in any environment.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Shinwell takes the rep aside and asks her to grab some of the antidote to the sickness that pushed Stephens into a coma, because the mad scientist must have some lying around.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
11 May 2025
-
The late 19th century was a boom time for mad inventors, scam artists, and fast-talking salesmen.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
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
“Bats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bats. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share