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.
Tom Masland et al.If he is so polarizing, how was he elected five times in a swing state?—Nancy Gibbs et al.
Nancy Gibbs et al.Examples of swing state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If Biden could not turn the tide, his path to victory in 2024 became much more narrow — and in some crucial swing states, almost impossible.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2025
The steelworkers union had endorsed Biden in 2020 and claimed more than 1 million members, including tens of thousands in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
—Jeff Stein and David J. Lynch The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Musk spent $277 million backing President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates, actively campaigning in swing states.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Musk, the world’s richest person, poured in around $277 million to promote Trump and other Republican candidates, and spent weeks on the road campaigning in swing states.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for swing state 
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.
Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2025
The steelworkers union had endorsed Biden in 2020 and claimed more than 1 million members, including tens of thousands in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
—Jeff Stein and David J. Lynch The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Musk spent $277 million backing President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates, actively campaigning in swing states.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Musk, the world’s richest person, poured in around $277 million to promote Trump and other Republican candidates, and spent weeks on the road campaigning in swing states.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for swing state
Dictionary Entries Near swing state
Cite this Entry
“Swing state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swing%20state. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share