switch 1 of 2

Definition of switchnext
1
as in to swap
to give up (something) and take something else in return switched the real grapes for fake ones switched the day of his flight from Thursday to Friday

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2
as in to flick
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions cows lazily switching their tails and chewing their cud

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3
4
as in to reverse
to change (as an opinion) to the contrary a politician who has switched his position on a number of issues

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5

switch

2 of 2

noun

1
2
as in flick
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down that telltale switch of the cat's tail meant there was a mouse under the piano

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3

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 switch
Verb
Natasha spent the two hours trying to switch her QuickBooks account from annual to monthly billing, while Morjane worked on his taxes and edited a podcast. Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 Grande, whose talent and comedic timing landed her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, then switched from earnest to humorous. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026
Noun
The language switch has done nothing to lessen its global appeal, as a quick perusal of the YouTube comments suggests, though there are some jokes Jakubović acknowledges would be inscrutable outside Bosnia. ABC News, 12 June 2026 My bill to ban Glock switches was never referred, my bill to set an age at 18 for constitutional carry in Missouri was also never referred to a committee. Ben Wheeler june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • For example, swap heavy coats and boots for lighter layers and store the off-season items elsewhere.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026
  • The elaborate safety check included tightening the arms, checking the GPS system and parachute, swapping the battery, and, yes, inspecting the cargo.
    Anne Kadet, Curbed, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • A little jump follows and the heel of your front foot flicks the ball into the air.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • The Americans were less cohesive without Pulisic in the second half, but Reyna still added the finishing touch by gliding into the box and toe-flicking home his first World Cup goal.
    Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • In fact, some are doing little to hide their skepticism – and, in some cases, outright frustration – with the agreement.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • So my whole upbringing was hiding and carrying this huge weight and secret.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • When the victim tried to take a photo of Haken's Cadillac SUV license plate, Haken allegedly reversed the vehicle onto the curb where the victim was forced to jump out of the way, the documents said.
    Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • This morning, the NSF reversed course, pressing pause on its plans and promising to convene an expert panel to reassess.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Bring along a friend who wouldn’t be able to indulge in these kinds of finger-licking treats otherwise.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
  • The image of the students as vivisectors, committed to extracting the hearts and licking the bones of the transgressors in their midst, seems to mirror her own hatred of the university’s tendency toward frenzied analysis.
    Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • During enslavement, physical violence, such as being beaten with whips, was used to control Black bodies.
    Nia Dumas, NPR, 16 June 2026
  • The blazer featured two wide lapels outlined in a whip stitch and stacked pocket flaps on each side of body.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • In addition to protecting you from wind and cooler temperatures, Quince’s version is also water-repellent, has a storm flap for ventilation, and is packable enough to throw in a bag without adding excess weight or taking up too much space.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
  • In the mitt biz, this is broken down into the categories of mitten (looks like a large winter mitten); pincer, which has the thumb flap directly opposing the other fingers like a hand puppet (which is why they’re also called puppet mitts); and glove, which separates all five fingers.
    Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • However, the thorough profiles encourage you to resist the urge to mindlessly swipe.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
  • The secret is to work from the top down and dry the rubber blade after each swipe.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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