switch-hit

verb

ˈswich-ˈhit How to pronounce switch-hit (audio)
switch-hit; switch-hitting

intransitive verb

: to bat right-handed against a left-handed pitcher and left-handed against a right-handed pitcher in baseball

Examples of switch-hit in a Sentence

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.
The Guardians did trade for switch-hitting catcher, Patrick Bailey from the San Francisco Giants. — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The promotion of both young prospects, as well as switch-hitting shortstop Jhonny Level, who dominated the Cal League before moving up to High-A Eugene, has been a boon for San Jose. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 July 2026 The Orioles would surely need the same to consider trading the switch-hitting Adley Rutschman. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 The Angels were facing a right-handed pitcher on Friday night, so Suzuki wanted the left-handed bat of switch-hitting catcher Tyler Heineman in the lineup. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch-hit

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from switch-hitter

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of switch-hit was in 1938

Browse Nearby Words

switchgrass
switch-hit
switch-hitter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Switch-hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/switch-hit. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All