ˈpinch-ˈhit 
ˌpinch-
pinch-hit; pinch-hitting; pinch-hits
1
: to act or serve in place of another
2
: to bat in the place of another player especially when a hit is particularly needed
: a hit made by a pinch hitter
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
Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 29 July 2025
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Betts, who flew into Boston earlier in the evening to join the Dodgers, stood on deck to pinch-hit for Hyeseong Kim, if Esteury Ruiz could keep the inning alive.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 July 2025
In arguably the biggest moment of his career to that point, Raleigh was called to pinch hit for the Mariners in a 1-1 game against the A’s.
—Dhani Joseph, New York Times, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinch-hit
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Verb
Hinch pinch-hit for him with Jahmai Jones — something that did not seem unusual at the time — in the eighth inning despite a large Tigers lead.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 29 July 2025
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Betts, who flew into Boston earlier in the evening to join the Dodgers, stood on deck to pinch-hit for Hyeseong Kim, if Esteury Ruiz could keep the inning alive.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Noun
Mookie Betts rejoined the team in time to pinch hit against Chapman in the ninth inning.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 July 2025
In arguably the biggest moment of his career to that point, Raleigh was called to pinch hit for the Mariners in a 1-1 game against the A’s.
—Dhani Joseph, New York Times, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pinch-hit
Cite this Entry
“Pinch-hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinch-hit. Accessed 10 Aug. 2025.
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