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
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
After the Twins touched him for three runs in the second inning, Ohtani locked in and shut down the Minnesota bats.
—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
25 June 2026
How long do bats stay in a house?
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
These bats and other pollinators such as bees, butterflies, beetles, and moths are all being celebrated during National Pollinator Week (June 22–28, 2026).
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
24 June 2026
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
Noun
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
After the Twins touched him for three runs in the second inning, Ohtani locked in and shut down the Minnesota bats.
—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
25 June 2026
How long do bats stay in a house?
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
These bats and other pollinators such as bees, butterflies, beetles, and moths are all being celebrated during National Pollinator Week (June 22–28, 2026).
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
24 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
-
The defense argued that Bland had a psychotic episode due to a COVID infection.
-
The experience in question was a psychotic break that Murray endured in 2017 after spending several months involved with a wellness cult, coming to believe herself capable of powerful healing abilities.
Noun
-
The Nationals allowed 10 consecutive batters to reach base, eight of them via hits, including three extra-base hits and the two pivotal home runs.
-
Bulk reliever Zack Littell allowed two runs on five hits over four innings for Washington.
Noun
-
Jung, who is going into his senior year of high school, said SmartBlink can detect pedestrians using wheelchairs, crutches or canes, too.
-
Additionally, the researchers did not specify the exact dropout rates or detail how the routine might affect seniors who already relied on assistive devices like walkers or canes.
Verb
-
From conveyor belts and baggage carts to overhead bins and taxi trunks, luggage is constantly subjected to bumps, knocks and rough handling.
-
This knocks Europe out in a single shot.
Verb
-
Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.
-
At one point in a dinner scene, Shields' Erika licks Joey's fingers.
Verb
-
North Carolina will be under the microscope as long as Bill Belichick roams the sidelines in Chapel Hill.
-
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.
Adjective
-
Initially skeptical, Tom becomes increasingly paranoid after a sailor who got lost in the fog essentially goes mad, with his eyes turning white just before dying.
-
Relative bargain Please do not be mad at me for relaying this insurance math.
Noun
-
Onaje died four days later — having suffered fatal brain hemorrhaging from multiple blows to his skull.
-
Officers said that Samartino quickly assessed the situation and immediately began administering back blows to the infant.
Cite this Entry
“Bats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bats. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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