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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
Score a $1,500 First Bet Offer Baseball fans can get back in the swing of the new season with a tantalizing sign-up bonus from BetMGM Sportsbook. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 In retrospect, this was the height (or perhaps the nadir) of a kind of purity-test politics that was making some swing voters, including Rogan, feel less at home in the Democratic coalition. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 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
  • Crypto Is Too Big To Ignore One clear implications of this movement in OCC policy, especially when take in conjunction with other policy adjustments so far in 2025, is that the crypto sector is becoming too big to ignore.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • This is why breathing mechanics are critical — your breath drives rib movement, and rib movement allows for better spinal rotation.
    Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This shift is particularly visible in the areas of diversity and climate change.
    Paul Klein, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • These shifts could prompt organizations to revisit their travel policies, particularly around work-life balance.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Justice Department also said that DOGE access doesn't deviate significantly from normal practices inside the agency, where employees are routinely allowed to search its databases.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Their decisions often deviated from strict legal precedent when faced with sympathetic defendants.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • An elegant ode to functionality, the studio installed a curtain rail around a daybed, allowing the space to be turned into an impromptu extra guest room.
    María Noval-Quílez, Architectural Digest, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The pair was involved in a heated altercation that reportedly turned physical before paramedics arrived on the scene, according to TMZ.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Cybercriminals can trick authentication systems, approve fraudulent transactions or even manipulate corporate communications.
    Khurram Akhtar, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Some billions of years later, some of that multicellular life figured out how to be reasonably smart and start using tools to manipulate and control its environment.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 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
  • As part of the auction, the company also offered two blue bird signs that had been hanging outside the corporate headquarters, which has since been moved to Texas.
    Michael Kan, PCMAG, 21 Mar. 2025
  • When the art finally arrived, Harp couldn’t wait to hang the framed picture in her house.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Being an associate member affords you access to some resources (like courses for your referees, for example) and a little funding.
    Nick Miller, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Trombetta — whose position afforded him access to confidential data, criminal investigative information and trade secrets — resigned from the gaming commission in December 2024 and went to lobby for FanDuel later that month as their director of government relations.
    Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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