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 Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the state is home to nine species of bats. Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Bregman has accumulated more than 5,000 at-bats across his major-league career, and none of those moments happened during a rebuilding period. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu became the 43rd MLB player to hit four home runs in four consecutive at-bats. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Land targeted for conservation makes up a quilt of South Florida wilderness, from coastal wetland to tropical hammocks, inhabited by rare plants, butterflies, bats, snakes and other critters. Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Their issues putting together effective at-bats were evident in the final two games against the Brewers, totaling three runs on 11 hits and three walks. ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 However, the bats that the Padres drafted last month have already begun to make their professional debuts in full-season ball and second-round shortstop Elliot Lascelles could join the Storm before long. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Instead, the move gives Prieto an opportunity to regain confidence and continue getting regular at-bats. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 The tidbit is a testament to how brutal the Bombers’ bats have been alongside one of the best rotations in baseball. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
Duran started the year hitting third and now bats seventh or eighth, and his hold on everyday playing time might have been saved by Masataka Yoshida’s injury — at least until Roman Anthony’s return. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 New York catcher Alyssa Zettlemoyer worked with Henley, as did Maggie Foxx, who bats fourth for the Los Angeles Queens. Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bats
Adjective
  • Psychiatric disorders are generally divided into mood disorders and psychotic disorders, Osborne said; postpartum psychosis is a mood disorder, in which mood symptoms accompany psychotic symptoms.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But to make some generalization that all career women are psychotic because Glenn Close happened to be psychotic at the end of that movie is just silly.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Webb mentioned his poor performance in Boston in 2024, allowing four runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Guerrero had two hits in his return from the seven-day concussion list.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Pruning In winter, when canes are done producing fruit for the season, prune the canes that bore fruit down to the base of the plant so new ones will grow in the spring.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Sales of Cardinal’s consumer healthcare products, such as crutches, canes and its Leader brand of cough drops and other over-the-counter medications, are also reported here.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When a headline knocks a stock down, the useful question is whether anything inside the business moved.
    Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Brink is no stranger to the injury bug, as this is just the latest in a series of knocks the Sparks center has taken recently.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Later, a woman protractedly licks blue ice cream from a cone, her attempts thwarted by ferocious gusts of wind and sand.
    Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Ellis’ autofiction book follows a group of high school students in 1980s Los Angeles as a serial killer roams the city.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Riley has a talented veteran QB (Jayden Maiava), a strong O-line and now mad scientist Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • It was worshipped as a goddess, believed to drive people mad, and even considered a realm for the dead.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Guevera also reportedly came to blows with Eddie Kingston in 2022, leading to Kingston’s suspension.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Hernandez is a grappler in the octagon who can unleash crushing blows with his fists, elbows and legs.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bats. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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