swing 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swingnext
1
as in licence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in movement

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in shift

Synonyms & Similar Words

swing

2 of 2

verb

ˈswiŋ How to pronounce swing (audio)
1
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction thinking that we were being followed, we abruptly swung to the left at the next intersection swing right at James St.

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to turn
to change the course or direction of (something) at the sound of gunfire, the cavalry officer swung his horse around and galloped rapidly back to the fort

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3
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a man who's able to swing two full-time jobs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to rotate
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis he swung the bat as hard as he could but he missed the ball don't let the wind swing that gate shut

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5
as in to hang
to place on an elevated point without support from below beach towels swung up to dry on the lifeguard's high chair

Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to afford
to have enough money for I don't think that we can swing that hefty a mortgage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When might fluctuate be a better fit than swing?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use oscillate instead of swing?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When could sway be used to replace swing?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can undulate be used instead of swing?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Where would vibrate be a reasonable alternative to swing?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

In what contexts can waver take the place of swing?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of swing
Noun
Score a $1,500 First Bet Offer Baseball fans can get back in the swing of the new season with a tantalizing sign-up bonus from BetMGM Sportsbook. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 In retrospect, this was the height (or perhaps the nadir) of a kind of purity-test politics that was making some swing voters, including Rogan, feel less at home in the Democratic coalition. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
DeChambeau was the genesis of the idea to make the curve of the club face – the bulge and roll – proportionate to how fast a golfer can swing the club. —Erik Matuszewski, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser, Conor Garland and Filip Hronek were among those who swung by to say hello. —Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swing
  1. movement
  2. shift
  3. deviate
  4. turn
  5. manipulate
  6. rotate
  7. hang
  8. afford
Noun
  • While moderate to severe ailments require a certain amount of rest and recovery, mild ones might improve with movement.
    — Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In The Bulwark, Jonathan V. Last emphasized the strategic advantage of a movement that makes its way from the hinterlands toward Washington.
    — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of movement
Noun
  • These shifts could prompt organizations to revisit their travel policies, particularly around work-life balance.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
  • For one, there’s often an initial intoxicating sense of familiarity that quickly devolves into chaos and drama, something akin to love-at-first-sight that suddenly shifts into leave-me-alone.
    — Christina Pérez, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of shift
Verb
  • The show deviates from the real Melissa and Keith and goes into entirely fictional territory, introducing another possible victim.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
  • There’s always a chance for a surprise cameo that deviates from the source material, but Choi Hyun-wook is not currently listed as a Season 2 cast member.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • Our favorite machines here can turn your barista into a stranger.
    — Molly Higgins, Wired News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • An elegant ode to functionality, the studio installed a curtain rail around a daybed, allowing the space to be turned into an impromptu extra guest room.
    — María Noval-Quílez, Architectural Digest, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of turn
Verb
  • While Ticketmaster denies using surge pricing or dynamic algorithms to manipulate prices, fans like Jessica Chou question if their early participation in presales might be contributing to higher initial costs.
    — Caché McClay, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Decades earlier, Loftus had demonstrated that people’s memories of visual details could be manipulated by posing questions that contained misinformation.
    — Bernice Andrews, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • The dining room on the floor below has deep red carpets, gold chairs, burl wood walls in a herringbone pattern and reflective metallic paint on the ceiling that intensifies the rotating 360 degree views.
    — Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Visit The Danville Museum Of Fine Arts And History For a crash course in Danville history, plus access to a rotating lineup of fine art exhibits, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is a one-stop shop for all things Danville culture.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • Outside the little green brick building hangs the sign with the restaurant's slogan: Automatic For The People.
    — Melanie Peeples, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Just a few miles from the beach, the briny sea fog hangs over the pasture.
    — Scott Clark as told to Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of hang
Verb
  • Assuming that happens, the GOP would have a five-seat majority in the House − meaning Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., could afford to lose no more than two votes to guarantee a majority.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • All of these companies are seeking to differentiate themselves in this quest — and none of them can afford to fall behind.
    — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of afford

Browse Nearby Words

swineherds
swing
swinging
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Cite this Entry

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on swing

Nglish: Translation of swing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swing

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