pinch hitter

noun

Definition of pinch hitternext
as in replacement
a person or thing that takes the place of another the business owners brought in a pinch hitter until a permanent manager could be hired

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 pinch hitter Schwarber was able to work a walk, and then Derek Hill, another pinch hitter, came up and smacked a home run that gave Philadelphia the lead in a win over the Nationals. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 24 June 2026 O’Brien then struck out pinch hitter John Rave, who was batting for Nick Loftin, and induced a groundout from left fielder Isaac Collins to end the game. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026 The Colorado Rockies mobbed pinch hitter Sterlin Thompson near first base to celebrate handing the Cubs a 3-2 walk-off loss in the bottom of the ninth inning yesterday. — Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026 Conine entered the game as a pinch hitter and smashed a changeup from Victor Vodnik (2-3) that went an estimated distance of 433 feet to send the Marlins on their way to a seventh straight win over Colorado. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pinch hitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch hitter
  1. replacement
  2. substitute
  3. backup
Noun
  • The city said replacement parts have been ordered and officials hope to reopen the pool before the end of July.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Wallingford also testified that inspections are not a replacement for reporting infant deaths.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of replacement
Noun
  • Haaland, a fan favorite in the tournament, will start the match on the substitutes' bench, ESPN reported Friday.
    — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • Mathewson noted that merely keeping abreast of the latest developments is no substitute for working with them directly.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of substitute
Noun
  • The Warriors already let backup point guard Pat Spencer walk to Phoenix.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • The Illinois Tollway plans to reduce backups at the congested nexus by adding lanes to northbound and southbound I-355 in the Downers Grove area as well as ramp improvements.
    — Marni Pike, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of backup

Browse Nearby Words

pinch-hits
pinch hitter
pinch hitters
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Cite this Entry

“Pinch hitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch%20hitter. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pinch hitter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pinch hitter

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