pinch hitter

noun

Synonyms of pinch hitternext
: one that pinch-hits

Synonyms of pinch hitter

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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
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.
Toronto finished with 15 hits and scored its first three runs RBI singles by George Springer, rookie Charles McAdoo and Lukes as a pinch hitter. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 Standing between the Houston Astros starter, a perfect game and a celebratory dogpile was Boston Red Sox pinch hitter Doug Mirabelli. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Schreiber proceeded to walk Dodgers pinch hitter Kyle Tucker to load the bases. — Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026 Astros center fielder Brice Matthews injured his left knee crashing into the wall in the first inning trying to catch a Jung drive and left for a pinch hitter in the second. — CBS News, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pinch hitter

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinch hitter was in 1896

Rhymes for pinch hitter

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Browse Nearby Words

pinch hit
pinch hitter
pinching bar
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Cite this Entry

“Pinch hitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinch%20hitter. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on pinch hitter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pinch hitter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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