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

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
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.91%, and swung 2,595 points from low to high, its largest intraday point swing ever recorded. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025 Paxton could energize the MAGA base but will likely repel swing voters, giving Democrats more firepower against him. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 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
  • The group had paused attacks in January after Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement reached a ceasefire in Gaza but has resumed strikes in the wake of Israel scrapping the truce.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of movement
Noun
  • Structural shifts in the Australian market, such as Disney+’s ESPN integration in 2025 and DAZN’s Foxtel acquisition, are also likely to continue.
    — Sara Merican, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Structural shifts such as Disney+’s ESPN integration and DAZN’s Foxtel acquisition are expected to reshape the competitive landscape, though weakening consumer sentiment presents potential headwinds.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Apr. 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
  • Ryan Coogler first turned heads with his 2013 debut Fruitvale Station, a shattering account of a fatal shooting that presaged the surge of the Black Lives Matter movement.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Lisa Rinna turned Wednesday’s H&M & LA event in Los Angeles into a family affair, attending the event alongside her daughters Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray Hamlin.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of turn
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • Powered by the automatic Rolex cal. 3175, its GMT hand was still slaved to the local hour hand, meaning that a second time zone could only be tracked using the rotating bezel.
    — Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • 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
  • Outside the little green brick building hangs the sign with the restaurant's slogan: Automatic For The People.
    — Melanie Peeples, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of hang
Verb
  • Alvarez’s 1-for-16 start is crippling a lineup that can’t afford his anemia, one that has scored nine runs and struck four extra-base hits across its first five games.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 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 16 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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