pinch hitter

noun

: one that pinch-hits

Synonyms

• backup
• cover
• designated hitter
• fill-in
• locum tenens
• relief
• replacement
• reserve
• stand-in
• sub
• substitute

Examples of pinch hitter in a Sentence

the business owners brought in a pinch hitter until a permanent manager could be hired

Recent Examples on the Web

Runners were stranded at the corners when pinch hitter Carson Boles struck out looking to end the top of the fourth. —Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025

Turner drew a walk as a pinch hitter for Brandon Marsh against a lefty. —Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2025

Brandon Lockridge was hitless (0-for-2) for the first time in seven games but did have a sacrifice bunt, which is a crucial tool for a player who would be primarily a defensive replacement in the outfield, pinch runner and situational pinch hitter. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025

These moments aren’t new to awards shows; Sandler has become a pinch hitter for live TV lately, and practically every Oscars host calls out how long the ceremony runs. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pinch hitter

• embitter
• emitter
• outfitter
• remitter
• submitter
• transmitter
• babysitter
• bitter
• critter
• fitter
• fritter
• glitter

Kids Definition

pinch hitter

noun

1

: a baseball player sent in to bat for another especially when a hit is needed

2

: a person called upon to do another's work in an emergency

pinch-hit

(ˈ)pinch-ˈhit

verb