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.
Democrats just captured a ruby red state senate district in Pennsylvania, the most coveted swing state of the 2024 White House contest. David M. Drucker, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 This was particularly notable in the critical swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which went for President Joe Biden in 2020 after going for Trump in 2016. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025 Like many well-heeled L.A. Democrats, the donor had been feeling disillusioned with the party and its candidate after giving so much last year only to see Trump sweep all swing states. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025 In 2024, Musk showered Donald Trump with money, spending something like $200 million in the swing states to help the Republican nominee. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Swing state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swing%20state. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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