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
Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Nipah, first detected in 1999, is usually found in bats and pigs, but occasionally breaks out into humans.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The Atlanta Braves are trading in bats for guitars on June 13.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2026
Avoid contact with bats, sick pigs and areas where bats roost.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
Indian officials began testing bats at Kolkata's Alipore Zoo on Saturday to rule out infection, The Hindu reported.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
The invasive pests originally lived off the blood of bats, and when humans started sheltering in caves, bed bugs began feeding on them instead.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
When healthy, Moncada offers disciplined at-bats, with some power.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Malice bats third to effortlessly deliver some of his best lyrical work from Let God Sort Em Out.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Nov. 2025
Mookie Betts, who bats directly behind Ohtani, is just 3-for-23 in this Fall Classic.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
Nipah virus has also been found in bats from China, Cambodia, Thailand, Madagascar and Ghana.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Nipah, first detected in 1999, is usually found in bats and pigs, but occasionally breaks out into humans.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The Atlanta Braves are trading in bats for guitars on June 13.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2026
Avoid contact with bats, sick pigs and areas where bats roost.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
Indian officials began testing bats at Kolkata's Alipore Zoo on Saturday to rule out infection, The Hindu reported.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
The invasive pests originally lived off the blood of bats, and when humans started sheltering in caves, bed bugs began feeding on them instead.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
When healthy, Moncada offers disciplined at-bats, with some power.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
No one, in this room of 150-plus diners, bats an eye.
—Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Malice bats third to effortlessly deliver some of his best lyrical work from Let God Sort Em Out.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Nov. 2025
Mookie Betts, who bats directly behind Ohtani, is just 3-for-23 in this Fall Classic.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
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
-
But providers might not have enough information available to make a correct diagnosis; an emergency room doctor treating someone experiencing a psychotic episode likely doesn’t have the capacity to know if their diagnosis should be schizophrenia, bipolar I or something else.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Is this lucid state only temporary based on the recent anti-psychotic meds he was given by Kelson?—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His films have premiered at Venice, Toronto, Sundance and Berlinale, with several becoming record-breaking hits locally.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The disparate components are bound by hefty percussion hits and an angelic vocal sample that sounds like trying to remember a distant memory.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Plants should bloom more reliably and rose canes will thicken as their roots establish.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Students at the center learn how to travel independently using canes and public transportation, cook and clean safely, use adaptive technology like screen readers and voiceover software, read Braille, and prepare for employment.—
Tori Mason,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Julio Cesar Chavez suffers his first loss in 91 fights when Frankie Randall knocks him down in the 11th round and wins the WBC super lightweight championship on a split decision.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And then some thug comes along and knocks him over.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike the casual pizza and pasta served at its sister restaurant, Via Aurelia leans upscale, with a five-course tasting option and an extensive wine list that roams Italy and beyond.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Scoop City’s own Dianna Russini roams the sideline.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
And everyone is mad at Andrew—though this one feels like a rumor and more reality.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Jan. 2026
-
He’s been thrown straight into a mad month, in which Chelsea have Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League fixtures.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
My father had said to me, My heart hurt more than my body—the flesh can take blows, the heart suffers them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
However, that good news comes after Johnson suffered political blows from an obstinate City Council opposition over the recent budget, on top of other losses for his progressive agenda.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bats. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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