Definition of batsnext

bats

2 of 3

noun

plural of bat

bats

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of bat
1
2
3

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 bats
Noun
The bats coming alive late on Saturday were a good sign of that. Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Ceddanne Rafaela, in the midst of a career-best year at the plate, clocked solo homers off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in consecutive at-bats, and Payton Tolle gutted through six innings against one of the top offenses in baseball. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 His ability to miss bats remained attractive to postseason hopefuls searching for bullpen depth. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Prevent bats from re-entering by sealing entry points, adding screens, or consulting a professional if needed. Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 1 Aug. 2026 Rabies is more common in bats and skunks, who occasionally transfer the deadly infection to pets. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 Many scientists believe the evidence suggests that the virus emerged naturally in bats, circulated to other species and spilled over to humans at a live animal market in Wuhan, China, where the first human cases appeared in late 2019. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 29 July 2026 While Bruce Hurst was shutting down our bats once again into the fourth inning, Ron Darling barely managed to make it that far in permitting a 3–0 Boston lead. New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 The improvement in competitive at-bats and in-game adjustments have played an important role too. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
Verb
The Phillies could use another outfielder, preferably one who bats right-handed. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 16 July 2026 The 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior first baseman not only starts but also bats cleanup for the Wildcats, who have returned to the state semifinals. Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026 With the light nearly gone — the UMass Dartmouth field doesn’t have lights — Callahan silenced the Raiders bats one more time and this eventually led to the decision to pause the game. Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 Schmidt, who bats and throws left, led off the bottom of the seventh with a sharp single to right field. Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 Inés has been raised in a world of strange ellipses, and hardly bats an eye when the hotel bartender goes quiet after someone mentions his missing brother, but Hanna (Maia Rae Domagala) is a different story. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 May 2026 Jordan Woolery, who bats behind her at third in the lineup, has 107 RBIs and was the Big Ten Player of the Year. ABC News, 10 May 2026 Altuve bats fifth For the first time in his career, Altuve started a regular-season game batting in the fifth spot in the lineup. Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 30 Apr. 2026 Peralta then was replaced by left-hander Brooks Raley, and Kelly was sent up to hit for Moisés Ballesteros, a rookie who bats from the left side. CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bats
Adjective
  • The evaluator concluded the elder Henrichsen likely merited a diagnosis of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.
    Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
  • In a recent eight-week stretch, 6% of my postpartum patients met criteria for a psychotic disorder—almost six times higher than rates published in the medical literature.
    Uruj Kamal Haider, Time, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • Perkins allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings as the A's have lost 11th straight series for just the third time in the last 110 seasons.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Springs allowed four hits, five walks and two runs in four innings and fell to 0-11 in his last 18 starts.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Victim 2, who is a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue employee according to the New York Times, was repeatedly struck with canes and paddles and bled through his underwear and pants because of lacerations to his buttocks, according to the warrant.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • At the base, blueberry shrubs have multiple canes (or branches) that grow directly out of the earth in clumps.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • Max knocks on the door, a strange formality for a man about to burn the boat down to the waterline.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • The Petco cashier with the cat named Rebecca knocks on the hood of my car.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 June 2026
  • At one point in a dinner scene, Shields' Erika licks Joey's fingers.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • North Carolina will be under the microscope as long as Bill Belichick roams the sidelines in Chapel Hill.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 5 June 2026
  • Today, the herd roams the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and is managed in partnership with the local fire company, which hosts the annual pony swim—a beloved local tradition.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • Alec Hammond, my production designer, is just a mad scientist.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • Fortunately, Alec Hammond, the production designer, is a is a mad scientist.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • After the dustups, the offense went from taking blows from the defense to delivering some of its own.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • During the less than a minute-long elevator ride, the duo trading blows, according to the video.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bats. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bats

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster