as in substitutes
a person or thing that takes the place of another
the business owners brought in a pinch hitter until a permanent manager could be hired
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of pinch hitters
The club has five starting-caliber outfielders and can only play four at a time, and since four of those outfielders also bat left-handed, the Red Sox can’t even set up a platoon or effectively deploy pinch hitters late in game.
—
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Agnifilo, Kaplan and Geragos are joining Weinstein’s team as pinch hitters ahead of his next appearance in Manhattan Supreme Court on March 4, with a trial date still to be set for the outstanding third-degree rape charge concerning an alleged assault on aspiring actor Jessica Mann in 2013.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
The Jays used four pinch hitters and defensive substitutions.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
There’s also pressure on the bench because teammates, like pinch hitters, never know when they may be subbed in.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Agnifilo, Kaplan and Geragos are joining Weinstein’s team as pinch hitters ahead of his next appearance in Manhattan Supreme Court on March 4, with a trial date still to be set for the outstanding third-degree rape charge concerning an alleged assault on aspiring actor Jessica Mann in 2013.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
The Jays used four pinch hitters and defensive substitutions.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
There’s also pressure on the bench because teammates, like pinch hitters, never know when they may be subbed in.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch hitters
Noun
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Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Almond extract brands and substitutes Recipes developed in the BA Test Kitchen rely on Nielsen-Massey Pure Almond Extract.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Here come some potential replacements.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
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The tries were shared by 10 players including Kildunne, whose brace gave her 50 in 59 tests, former captain Marlie Packer's 53rd, and for other replacements Sarah Bern, Mia Venner and Haineala Lutui.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Water Is Your Friend According to sewer and drain specialist Tyler Pittenger, a long flush of water after using the disposal is the best way to prevent clogs and backups.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
10 Apr. 2026
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Those newcomers, along with a few returning backups in Connor Meadows, Camp Lott and Owen Spell, give the Knights their core group heading into the 2026 season.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pinch hitters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch%20hitters. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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