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.
If he is so polarizing, how was he elected five times in a swing state?Nancy Gibbs et al.

Examples of swing state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The organization, called Turnout for America, encouraged donors to fund its $45 million plan for hundreds of canvassers to be deployed in seven swing states, the New York Times reported, citing an internal memo. Gabe Kaminsky, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Dec. 2024 Though Kamala Harris lost her Presidential bid, the popular vote, and seven swing states to Donald Trump, the message—even in Wisconsin, which Harris lost—is not so straightforward. Peter Slevin, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024 Wikler's supporters say there would be a benefit in selecting a leader from a swing state on the frontlines of campaigning in tight elections. Dana Ferguson, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024 Musk contributed at least $250 million to Trump’s bid, with the vast majority going to his own pro-Trump super PAC that played a key role in the campaign’s get-out-the-vote efforts in swing states. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for swing state 

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swing state was in 1952

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 5 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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