as in discusses
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
the issue's been batted around, but nothing's ever been done
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bats (around or back and forth)
Verb
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In the first, former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander discusses significant changes in how NFL teams treat his former position.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
5 Feb. 2026 -
D’Amaro has built stronger relationships and discusses storytelling and creativity more fluently than Chapek did, even as his Hollywood experience is limited.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While social media debates whether their name is pronounced bet-tuh or bay-tuh, veterinarians tend to be more concerned with how they’re cared for than how they’re named.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
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The chef debates whether to serve the cabins or the saloon first.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, some major employers either believe AI tools will make junior staff more productive, as is the case with IBM, or that challenging early-career workers was necessary to maintain a talent pipeline, as PwC argues.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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The complaint argues that Harvard’s failure to provide records violates a material term of its federal financial assistance and hampers the government’s ability to complete its review.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bats (around or back and forth).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bats%20%28around%20or%20back%20and%20forth%29. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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