swastika

noun

swas·​ti·​ka ˈswä-sti-kə How to pronounce swastika (audio)
 also  swä-ˈstē-
1
: a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same rotary direction
2
: a swastika used as a symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism

Examples of swastika in a Sentence

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.
The 1939 event, which featured a portrait of George Washington hung between American flags and swastikas, was a fascist, white supremacist rally cloaked in false patriotism. Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024 Two of those also included photos of switches that had swastika designs. Anna Schecter, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2024 Allen has asserted in court filings that civil-rights statutes don’t apply to the incident, because a Patriot Front logo does not convey the same threat of violence that a burning cross or a swastika does. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2024 That’s because advertisers don’t want their ads to appear next to a burning cross or a swastika. Ian Millhiser, Vox, 12 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for swastika 

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit svastika, from svasti well-being, from su- well + as- to be; akin to Sanskrit asti he is, Old English is; from its being regarded as a good luck symbol

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swastika was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near swastika

Cite this Entry

“Swastika.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swastika. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

swastika

noun
swas·​ti·​ka ˈswäs-ti-kə How to pronounce swastika (audio)
 also  swä-ˈstē-kə
: a symbol in the form of a cross with the ends of the arms bent at right angles all in the same direction
Etymology

from a word in Sanskrit (the ancient language of India) svastika "a symbol in the form of a cross with bent arms," from svasti "well-being"

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