1
as in blow
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
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2
as in cane
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 to knock
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 to lick
to strike repeatedly
batted the piñata until it finally broke open
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to roam
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 bat
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
The month marks the height of bat season, culminating in Bat Fest, when, come dusk, over a million bats take flight from the Congress Avenue Bridge.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
And the Padres batted last all night and had the chance to win far too often to end up losing.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bat
Noun
Wagner will hit fifth, between first baseman Gavin Sheets and left fielder Samad Taylor, Song will bat ninth and switch-hitter Bryce Johnson will get the start in right field over Jase Bowen and bat seventh against Reds right-hander Chase Burns.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
The month marks the height of bat season, culminating in Bat Fest, when, come dusk, over a million bats take flight from the Congress Avenue Bridge.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026
Verb
Alvarez, who batted 2-for-4 from the plate and allowed just one earned run on four hits in a complete game from the circle, followed with another RBI double for a second run.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
And the Padres batted last all night and had the chance to win far too often to end up losing.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat
Noun
-
The rookie took a deep breath, settled into his stance and watched as Houston’s pitcher, Enyel De Los Santos, attempted to deliver the final blow.—
Latif Love
June 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Star third baseman José Ramírez broke a bone in his left hand on a swing Saturday and will be sidelined for an indefinite period, a massive blow to the two-time defending AL Central champions.—
Tom Withers,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
But his parents hope that the teen, who uses a wheelchair or cane for mobility, will continue to gain independence.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
In its most scenic moments, the train wanders along the island’s coastline and through rainforest, and sugar cane fields.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
After knocking England out of the 2018 World Cup, for example, Croatia’s players were keen to throw that line back in their face afterwards.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Chalk it up to a bad match, and lick your wounds.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
-
Affected animals transfer rabies by biting, licking or scratching other animals and humans.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Their multispecies map is a…blueprint that enshrines the right to roam for the entire animal kingdom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Tourists in national team shirts and officials and media members with credential lanyards around their necks are roaming around Bayside Marketplace.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The driver’s side opens, releasing the thump of music and a tall, lean figure.—
Shyla Watson,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
The usual thump of a foot hitting a soccer ball filled the air Wednesday at the Compass Minerals National Performance Center.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Citizen Officers in riot gear responded with batons and zip ties and ordered the crowd to disperse.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
During the event, Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman symbolically passed a baton to Bresnik while joined by other members of the Artemis II crew.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
-
Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee saw his 18-game hitting streak, the longest active streak in the majors entering play, come to an end after going hitless in three at-bats.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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