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.
Call assumed Ward’s spot in the order as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning and delivered a two-run single for a 6-0 lead. — Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 31 May 2026 Koeninger retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth and got the first two outs of the seventh before walking pinch hitter Brady Skutta and running into his pitch count. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2026 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 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 7 Jul. 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

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