hitter
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a player in sports like baseball who tries to hit the ball with a bat.
a player, particularly in baseball or softball, whose role is to bat against the pitcher.
Simple“The team's best hitter managed to get a home run in the final inning.”
In context“The manager decided to substitute a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, hoping for a powerful drive to deep center field.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
someone who hits another person or an object.
an agent that delivers a physical blow or strike.
Simple“He was known as a heavy hitter in the boxing ring.”
In context“The investigation revealed that the damage was caused by a heavy hitter, likely using a blunt instrument to bypass the security door.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
a person who is paid to kill someone.
a professional assassin or hitman hired to commit murder.
Simple“The police believed the crime was the work of a professional hitter from out of town.”
In context“The detective suspected that a high-level hitter had been contracted to eliminate the witness before the trial could begin.”
UsageOften used in the context of organized crime or thriller fiction.
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
a person who is very successful or powerful in their job.
an influential or highly successful person, especially in business or politics; often used in the phrase 'heavy hitter'.
Simple“She is a heavy hitter in the tech industry and runs three major companies.”
In context“The conference attracted several heavy hitters from the banking sector, all eager to discuss the implications of the new fiscal policy.”
SynonymsAntonymsunderling
From hit + -er (agent noun suffix) or -er (measurement suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.