designated hitter

noun

Synonyms of designated hitternext
1
: a baseball player designated at the start of the game to bat in place of the pitcher without causing the pitcher to be removed from the game
2
: representative, substitute

Synonyms of designated hitter

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Examples of designated hitter in a Sentence

you'll have to be my designated hitter in the office while I'm on business trips
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.
Lee received a break from his duties in right field and was designated hitter after a late flight home from Boston as the Giants concluded a 1-5 road trip. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Episode writer Ava Coleman’s script called for Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to hit a home run during the game. — Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026 Chicago White Sox designated hitter Andrew Benintendi made sure there wouldn’t be history Thursday, breaking up a no-hitter in the seventh inning with a single to left field against Atlanta Braves starter Grant Holmes. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Athletics veteran Jeff McNeil hit an RBI single and Black walked designated hitter Max Muncy with the bases loaded. — Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for designated hitter

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of designated hitter was in 1928

Rhymes for designated hitter

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Browse Nearby Words

designated driver
designated hitter
designation
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Cite this Entry

“Designated hitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designated%20hitter. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on designated hitter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about designated hitter

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