pinch-hit

1 of 2

verb

ˈpinch-ˈhit

ˌpinch-

pinch-hit; pinch-hitting; pinch-hits

Synonyms of pinch-hit

intransitive verb

: to act or serve in place of another

: to bat in the place of another player especially when a hit is particularly needed

pinch hit

2 of 2

Synonyms of pinch-hit

Relevance

Verb

substitute

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of pinch-hit in a Sentence

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

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.

Verb

Tatis, reading the moment well in just his third pinch-hitting appearance this year, earned a four-pitch walk. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Siri, who was pinch-hitting, then drilled a double into the gap in left-center, scoring the tying run. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

Freeman stayed in the game and finished the top of the eighth, but Tommy Edman pinch hit for him in the bottom of the inning before Los Angeles closed out a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, its fourth in five games. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Perhaps he would have been pinch hit for in a close game, but when there is breathing room, the Phillies might take the opportunity to hand Marsh more experience. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pinch-hit

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from pinch hitter

First Known Use

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pinch-hit was in 1911

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

pinchgut money

pinch-hit

pinch hit

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pinch-hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinch-hit. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

pinch-hit

verb

noun

Synonyms of pinch-hit

Examples of pinch-hit in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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