swing 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swingnext
1
as in licence

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2
as in movement

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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.

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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

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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
Lizzi Gee’s choreography and the execution of the dances is a highlight, particularly the high energy swing dance number. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 But he’s been playing without tape on the ankle and his swing looks just as pristine this spring. —Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
After a slow start offensively in the opening minutes, the Lightning locked in defensively, which sparked an 11-0 run that swung the momentum in their favor. —Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025 In addition to acquiring Marchand, the Panthers swung big at the trade deadline by acquiring five-time All-Star defenseman Seth Jones as well as backup goaltender Vitek Vanecek and center Nico Sturm. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 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
  • The fashion consultant, who is squeezing in a session before work, lifts relatively light weights while doing simple movements to build strength: goblet squats with a 6-pound kettlebell, then bicep curls with a 10-pound weight.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Some historians might trace airborne warfare to earlier conflicts, when reconnaissance balloons offered eagle-eyed views of battlefields and troop movements.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of movement
Noun
  • Despite these hurdles, audio enclaves present a fundamental shift in sound control.
    — Jiaxin Zhong, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in six years, marking a shift in fast-fashion consumers.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of shift
Verb
  • Between the lines: The company hasn't deviated from its pledge to go net-zero by 2050, Coben says.
    — Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
  • To cover its tracks, the social media company allegedly deviated from usual practices and attempted to conceal the torrenting by using Amazon Web Services.
    — Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • Her writing turned into role-playing in forums, and Twilight fandom gave way to a love of video games like Mass Effect.
    — Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Ahead of the snow, there is a likelihood a line of storms form along a cold front and some of these storm could turn severe due to damaging wind gusts and large hail, though tornadoes are unlikely.
    — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of turn
Verb
  • Mid-20th century, metafiction was all about producing a sort of free zone of uncertainty in the reader about whether they themselves might be caught within a story or the product of some author, or being manipulated by some storyteller at a higher ontological plane, a different plane of being.
    — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The letter also suggested that the company’s models could pose an additional risk of manipulating information seen by Americans.
    — Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • If trade tensions ease and growth metrics strengthen, investors may rotate away from defensive assets such as gold and back into growth equities.
    — Garth Friesen, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The Zillion Direct’s slot panel is rectangular, and the plug is designed to fill the gap that’s created whenever a builder rotates the panel to enable a vertical graphics card orientation.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • But Bright said there are many more projects in various stages of permitting by the federal government that have question marks hanging over them.
    — Matt Egan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • But along with the angry calls and Facebook messages, Vito’s has been praised and thanked for hanging the illustration.
    — Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of hang
Verb
  • In an interview with People, the TV star said the financial security that portraying Meredith Grey affords her has been the best part of being on the long-running show.
    — Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The certification affords owner and CEO Chelsea Whittington the opportunity to provide marketing and public relations services to government and business entities across the state, the release said.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of afford

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Cite this Entry

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 22 Mar. 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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