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swing

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verb

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Noun
  • For instance, people often mistake a dog’s wagging tail as a sign of happiness, but the American Kennel Club suggests that the wagging movement only indicates that the dog is emotionally aroused.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Kasky’s classmate, David Hogg, now vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, has also been an outspoken gun control advocate since surviving Parkland, and was among the more visible faces in the March for Our Lives movement.
    David Goodhue, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The main function of the yeast deviated from producing good beer to simply being able to survive for an extraordinarily long period of time without its primary food source: barley sugar.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Even Porziņģis missing time throughout the playoffs didn’t force the Celtics to deviate much from their plan.
    Jay King, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
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
  • But the moment of flexing soon turned into a public apology and her taking accountability for the effect of the song.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This country is being manipulated by two people — and those too afraid to have the courage to oppose them.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In Season 4 of the Max comedy, Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels have manipulated their way into their respective dream jobs as host and head writer of a late-night talk show on network TV.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
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
  • Visit The Danville Museum Of Fine Arts And History For a crash course in Danville history, plus access to a rotating lineup of fine art exhibits, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is a one-stop shop for all things Danville culture.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Our plates were empty, but a golden goose hung over our heads.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On January 16th, Yorkshire’s executioner hanged all fourteen condemned men.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • No ordinary citizen, and certainly no federal judge, can afford naïveté in the face of this Administration’s lawless behavior.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With Merrill already out and not yet swinging a bat or doing anything explosive, the Padres cannot afford much worse at the position.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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