changeup

noun

change·​up ˈchānj-ˌəp How to pronounce changeup (audio)
: a slow pitch in baseball thrown with the same motion as a fastball in order to deceive the batter

Examples of changeup in a Sentence

The batter struck out on a changeup.
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.
Skubal struck out the side in the third inning, getting Max Clark to swing through a changeup, Javier Báez to chase a high fastball and Torres to watch an off-speed pitch clip the bottom of the zone. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Cruz has performed worse against the changeup than any other pitch this season. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026 His arsenal from a low arm slot features a low-90s fastball with a curveball, sinker, slider/sweeper and changeup that has a cutter profile. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026 In the sixth, with the Phillies up seven runs, Painter threw a 1-2 changeup to Alec Burleson that probably caught too much of the plate. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for changeup

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of changeup was in 1934

Rhymes for changeup

See All Rhymes for changeup

Browse Nearby Words

change three
changeup
change wheel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Changeup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/changeup. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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