as in psychotic
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bats
Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Polec was reportedly assaulted with baseball bats and other weapons while lying defenseless on the steps of Saint Cecilia's Church, according to officials.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Ohtani received intentional walks in his next four at-bats.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Ohtani's last seven at-bats at Dodger Stadium have included five home runs and two doubles.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Ohtani focused on his day job Monday and ripped off four extra-base hits – two doubles and two home runs – in his first four at-bats.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Khloé said, showing off the pumpkin decorating stations, trees decorated with cobwebs, witches' hats, cobwebs and bats, and the orange and black balloon arches.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
On top of that, bats have very low reproductive rates, with most species having one baby per year, says Owen.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer emphasized that the Pirates' toughest free agency decision will be figuring out which bats the team can acquire to back Skenes.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
And yet when an athlete expresses that same sentiment, nobody bats an eyelash.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Ohtani went hitless in three at-bats and struck out twice.
—Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Polec was reportedly assaulted with baseball bats and other weapons while lying defenseless on the steps of Saint Cecilia's Church, according to officials.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Ohtani received intentional walks in his next four at-bats.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Ohtani's last seven at-bats at Dodger Stadium have included five home runs and two doubles.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Ohtani focused on his day job Monday and ripped off four extra-base hits – two doubles and two home runs – in his first four at-bats.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Khloé said, showing off the pumpkin decorating stations, trees decorated with cobwebs, witches' hats, cobwebs and bats, and the orange and black balloon arches.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
On top of that, bats have very low reproductive rates, with most species having one baby per year, says Owen.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
However, this one bats a pretty impressive average, and the triptych structure keeps things moving at a nice clip.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer emphasized that the Pirates' toughest free agency decision will be figuring out which bats the team can acquire to back Skenes.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
And yet when an athlete expresses that same sentiment, nobody bats an eyelash.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bats
Adjective
-
Norman Mailer achieved a similar thing in his non-fiction novel about Gary Gilmore The Executioner’s Song—although, by the time the book was published in 1979, the seedy, psychotic world of Gilmore and his two girlfriends, Nicole and April Baker, hardly came as a revelation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Since its introduction in 2022, only people with schizophrenia and other limited psychotic disorders have had access to the program.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In Little Bear Ridge Road, Metcalf racks up the hits with ease, though the production feels more like watching home run derby than a full game.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Yesavage only allowed three hits and issued no walks in the win.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Floribunda roses require a hard pruning in the spring to encourage large blooms, so only perform maintenance cuts to remove dead or diseased canes in the fall and reduce height.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Trim off dead roots, bulbs, stems, and canes.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That said, Dexter’s signature burger knocks it out of the park, with two uber-beefy, coarsely ground patties and a lightly sweet and super fluffy bun, plus American cheese, thin pickle slices, red onion and dijonnaise.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
22 Oct. 2025
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Gap High-Rise Cuffed Wide-Leg Jeans Gap’s denim collection always knocks it out of the park, and these cuffed wide-leg jeans are no exception.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
When asked the question, the owl takes the lollipop and licks it three times before chomping down on its hard shell exterior and handing the stick back to the child.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In his segment, Frankenstein’s monster (Bruno Corazzari) roams a room of red Rothko-esque paintings and is overwhelmed by music.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Perhaps a dog barks too much, a cat roams through the yard, or pets are relieving themselves in unwanted areas.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
After 55 years based in Munich, ISPO, one of the world’s largest sporting goods trade fairs and an annual fixture in the sports-mad German city, is moving out.—
Cathrin Schaer,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Elordi's version of the mad scientist's monster boasts pale skin covered in scars, an alarming absence of eyebrows, and ratty dark hair extending past his shoulders.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Combs has seen a series of blows to his legal case in the past several weeks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Once the final frame got underway, chaos ensued as the undefeated NEPSAC programs traded blows.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bats. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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