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
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Recent Examples of pinch hitter
Panama’s Jonathan Araúz exchanged shouts and pushes with manager José Mayorga when the pinch hitter returned to the dugout after grounding out leading off the ninth.
—
Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026
The Cubs clearly believe in Ballesteros’ bat to the point of carrying him on their postseason rosters last year and becoming Counsell’s go-to lefty pinch hitter in the playoffs.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Agnifilo, Kaplan and Geragos are joining Weinstein’s team as pinch hitters ahead of his next appearance in Manhattan Supreme Court on March 4, with a trial date still to be set for the outstanding third-degree rape charge concerning an alleged assault on aspiring actor Jessica Mann in 2013.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Then with two outs and two runners on in the fifth, pinch hitter Miles Renteria came through with an RBI single for El Dorado.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pinch hitter
Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026
The Cubs clearly believe in Ballesteros’ bat to the point of carrying him on their postseason rosters last year and becoming Counsell’s go-to lefty pinch hitter in the playoffs.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Agnifilo, Kaplan and Geragos are joining Weinstein’s team as pinch hitters ahead of his next appearance in Manhattan Supreme Court on March 4, with a trial date still to be set for the outstanding third-degree rape charge concerning an alleged assault on aspiring actor Jessica Mann in 2013.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Then with two outs and two runners on in the fifth, pinch hitter Miles Renteria came through with an RBI single for El Dorado.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pinch hitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinch hitter
Noun
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The 24-year-old right-hander made his major league debut as a late replacement for right-hander Ryan Johnson, who fell ill, and had to bob and weave through the early innings.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
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But in most cities wholesale replacement is logistically impossible.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Caitlin Clark-effect was not a myth, and there is no substitute for an organic creation that can consistently bust 3-pointers from 30 feet.—
Mac Engel
March 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
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Messi went in as a halftime substitute in the 2-1 victory over Mauritania on March 27, a result against an inexperienced opponent that did not sit well with Scaloni.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The former Bronco managed just 90 carries in his three years as he was plagued by injuries and served as a backup to Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pinch hitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinch%20hitter. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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