bat 1 of 2

noun

ˈbat How to pronounce bat (audio)
Definition of batnext
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

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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

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bat

2 of 2

verb

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

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2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly batted the piñata until it finally broke open

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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

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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 bat
Noun
Community science initiatives to collect bat genetic residues have helped research uncover the state's 29th species and understand bat behavior in different locales. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Toward that end, Harris is in left field and batting ninth for his Padres debut on Monday. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Tristan Peters had been in the situation before, up to bat with a chance to win a game for the Chicago White Sox. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bat
  1. blow
  2. cane
  3. knock
  4. lick
  5. roam
  6. thump
  7. baton
  8. hit
Noun
  • If the aim, as stated, is to deal an economic blow to Iran, the fact is that the country is already under severe strain.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The impact of yesterday’s sharp drop in South Korean equities transmitted further into US markets overnight, spreading selling sentiment and dealing heavy blows to US semiconductor and memory stocks.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • As for full-body treatments, the Prickly Pear Sugar Scrub draws on Sonoran Desert botanicals like prickly pear and calendula extract, combined with cane-sugar-rich oils and hydrating body butter, for a thoroughly rejuvenating exfoliation.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That resident could be seen later walking with a cane after taking that leap of faith from his third-floor window.
    — Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of cane
Verb
  • If such an attack succeeds, Gulf Arab states’ need to save their huge oil infrastructure investments could knock them out of their informal American coalition or force Washington to accept Iranian terms on reopening the strait.
    — JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
  • With clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, London City Lionesses and Brighton, albeit the latter has just appointed a new head coach, knocking at the door, this could be United’s toughest season yet.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • That glib self-confidence is present in McNamara, who licks the doughnut glaze off his fingers before offering his hand to the female detective questioning the one living Jason.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • One act featured two young women sitting on the stage and licking orange Popsicles (yes, that was the whole act).
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • One aspect of Eloise’s personality that her parents and brother treasure the most is her connection with animals, from family pets to the deer and horses roaming on the ranch.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For nearly a hundred years, mule deer have roamed across the scenic but fragile ecosystem of Catalina Island in Southern California, ultimately becoming an ecological fixture and tourist attraction for folks who visit from the mainland.
    — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of roam
Noun
  • Their pitching is good, Griffin Jax could return soon, and Liam Hicks has added some thump to a lineup previously built around three really good hitters (Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda) and a bunch of do-your-job role players.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Noun
  • The Unbadged invited people to submit videos of personnel who used batons and tear gas against protestors without wearing a name badge, which police are legally required to wear.
    — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Police found a collapsible baton inside the bag, but have not recovered any political leaflets that would suggest an act of protest.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of baton
Verb
  • Throw it on over a swimsuit before hitting the beach, or accessorize it with a belt and some sunnies for a laid-back, yet polished, ensemble.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The American military undertook fresh strikes against Iran, hitting air defense and radar system targets.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of hit

Phrases Containing bat

Browse Nearby Words

bastions
bat
bat (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bat. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bat

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