swing state

noun

plural swing states
US politics : a U.S. state in which Republican and Democratic candidates have similar levels of support and which is considered to play a key role in the outcome of presidential elections
The politics of immigration in Florida, a key swing state, are not as clear as they are in California.— Tom Masland et al.
If he is so polarizing, how was he elected five times in a swing state?— Nancy Gibbs et al.

Examples of swing state 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.
In recent days, incredible pressure has been put on the more than a dozen Senate Democrats, many from swing states, who have not ruled out voting for the GOP bill just to avoid a shutdown. — Nik Popli, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025 The mayor added that the city will spare no expense to ensure every vote is counted heading into the swing state’s spring election. — Todd Richmond, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025 Musk was a major financial supporter of Trump's campaign last year, spending more than a quarter of a billion dollars and making personal appearances on his behalf in the swing state Pennsylvania. — David Ingram, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025 Maher's remarks come as Native American voters have become increasingly recognized as a crucial voting bloc in U.S. elections particularly in swing states like Arizona, Nevada and Michigan. — William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swing state

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swing state was in 1952

Rhymes for swing state

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Browse Nearby Words

swing sickness
swing state
swingstock
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Cite this Entry

“Swing state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swing%20state. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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