swastika
noun
swas·ti·ka
ˈswä-sti-kə 
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
The use of swastikas by critics of Mr. Musk — who is not Jewish or a member of any other minority group — has put law enforcement in a bind, legal scholars said.
—
Liam Stack, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Ye’s most recent attempt at shocking behavior follows his continued defense of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, including allegedly harassing Jewish employees, selling a swastika t-shirt on his website and initially using the symbol as the cover art for his newest album.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
Vehicles have been destroyed by arson, shot at in drive-bys and covered in graffiti, including swastikas.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
On Monday, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office reported that swastikas were painted on multiple Teslas at a dealership.
—David Ingram, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
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Liam Stack, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Ye’s most recent attempt at shocking behavior follows his continued defense of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, including allegedly harassing Jewish employees, selling a swastika t-shirt on his website and initially using the symbol as the cover art for his newest album.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
Vehicles have been destroyed by arson, shot at in drive-bys and covered in graffiti, including swastikas.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
On Monday, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office reported that swastikas were painted on multiple Teslas at a dealership.
—David Ingram, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swastika
Cite this Entry
“Swastika.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swastika. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swastika
noun
swas·ti·ka
ˈswäs-ti-kə
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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