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
After an afternoon of futile at-bats against Perez, the Athletics quickly rallied against Bachar. Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 Imanaga recovered a bit after the leadoff home run, but the Cardinals lineup coaxed long at-bats and drove up his pitch count, chasing the left-hander from the game after 4 2/3 innings. Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Twins hitters have very little experience against Weathers, getting three hits in 10 at-bats. David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 Josh Bell homered in consecutive at-bats and the Minnesota Twins hit six homers in a game for the first time in nearly three years to pull away for an 11-4 victory over the slumping New York Yankees on Saturday. ABC News, 4 July 2026 The four-time MVP went hitless in his three at-bats as most of the Dodgers’ lineup went quiet against Padres starter Michael King. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Meanwhile, the Bombers’ bats tried to climb out of their hole with a few dingers of their own. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026 San Joaquin County is seeing a rise in rabid bats, but public health officials said not to worry. Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 26 June 2026 But instead of kicking up dust, breaking bats or throwing fits, the Feeneys coalesced in a green-and-yellow mass behind the dugout. Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Verb
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 That Ohtani guy bats leadoff for the Dodgers, after all. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 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
  • Those diagnoses included schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress syndrome, major depressive disorder, and bipolar or related disorders.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • The defense argued that Bland had a psychotic episode due to a COVID infection.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The Padres finished the game with a season-high 11 walks and eight hits, including Sung-Mun Song’s two-out single that drove in two runs in the third and Cronenworth’s RBI single in the fourth.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
  • The Dodgers got to Pfaadt in the sixth on run-scoring hits from Pages and Betts.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 July 2026
Noun
  • Snappers, snakes, toy pistols with caps and toy canes with caps are the only fireworks allowed.
    Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
  • Then, the hydrangea grows new canes while the first round is blooming.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • My parents tell stories about me sleeping through loud construction, alarms, and heavy knocks on my bedroom door.
    Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026
  • Palestra instead knocks it past him with his right foot with great balance in a tight space.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 27 June 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
  • Over the last few years, there are these sounds that have appeared in certain towns that have driven people mad, that’s actually happening.
    Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
  • The scene played out across the soccer-mad nation as Egypt faced the defending World Cup champion in the round-of-16 fixture in Atlanta.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Holloway, even a Holloway who is nearing the end of his career with a somewhat suspect chin and ability to absorb heavy blows, wins this fight more times than not.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Rolling with the punches, though, is harder when the blows keep landing on the starting rotation.
    Jesús Cano, New York Times, 7 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bats. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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