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
Relevance
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 pinch hitters
Each hit a home run, making this the first time two American League pinch hitters hit home runs in the same game.
—
Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Both entered the game as pinch hitters.
—Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
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
Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Both entered the game as pinch hitters.
—Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch hitters
Noun
-
Ismaila Sarr said a prayer as the Palace substitutes and coaching staff rushed on to the pitch, a delighted mob.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Hart and Alvarez caution that devices should not become substitutes for engagement, emotional regulation or caregiving.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Trump will have the power to fire members at his discretion, and Blanche could appoint replacements.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Russia faces further battlefield setbacks Russia’s armed forces are suffering dual pressures from significant battlefield casualties and struggles to recruit replacements, underscoring Moscow’s growing challenges in its war on Ukraine.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
However, plant at least a couple of peach seeds as backups in case germination is low.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
-
Then one team wants to make a mockery of the final, Ganesha, by using backups.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pinch hitters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch%20hitters. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
