Synonyms of pinch-hit

pinch-hit

verb

ˈpinch-ˈhit 

as in to substitute

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

assigned to pinch-hit as a math teacher for the remainder of the semester

Synonyms & Similar Words

• substitute
• stand in
• spell
• take over
• step in
• cover
• fill in
• sub
• understudy
• relieve
• double (as)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pinch-hit

Having used Miguel Rojas to pinch-hit for Alex Freeland against a left-handed pitcher, Espinal to replace Muncy and Alex Call as a defensive replacement for Ryan Ward in left field, the Dodgers would have needed to get creative defensively if Ohtani pinch-hit. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 5 June 2026

In the last 20 years, the Phillies had pinch-hit for their cleanup hitter in the sixth inning or earlier for a non-injury or non-blowout reason only two times. —Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 May 2026

Tyrone Taylor pinch-hit a double to left field off left-hander Andrew Nardi, and Mark Vientos sent him home with a line drive to left. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026

Adames could be seen shaking his hand after committing an error on a sharp grounder in the bottom of the fifth, and rookie Jesús Rodríguez pinch-hit for Adames in the top of the sixth. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 May 2026