swash 1 of 2

1
as in to splash
to move with a splashing motion waves gently swashing against the shore

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to slosh
to cause (something liquid or mushy) to move along in sheets every bump in the road swashed a little more of my soda on the car's upholstery

Synonyms & Similar Words

swash

2 of 2

noun

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 swash
Verb
Recurring character Goro Majima swashes his buckles as the sole protagonist, taking to the seas having suffered from an almighty case of pirate amnesia. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
This cushiony highlighter deposits a swash of subtle champagne, rose quartz, or gold while the squalane (the secret star of the show) provides moisture for a long-lasting look that provides a skin-like, never cakey, finish. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 5 Oct. 2024 The dessert menu is just as backward-looking (or, more generously, classic-minded) as the savory offerings: cheesecake with a swash of berry sauce, dark chocolate pot de crème. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024 Other dishes were similarly transcendent: a slab of duck breast was tender and rare, with crisp skin and a dazzling swash of orange sauce. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2024 Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow Hourglass’s Scattered Light Eyeshadow is a fun date night accessory thanks to a swash of sparkle that’s easy to apply: just a few dabs of product onto your eyelid, and the pearls will reflect light beautifully. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 28 Sep. 2023 Some big trout are still in the swash on the beach at dawn, though this action will slow as the water continues to warm—topwaters get them. Frank Sargeant, al, 18 June 2021 Glow Set a travel necessity—perfect for quick makeup touch-ups, passing through TSA, or a shimmering swash of color. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2021 Hollywood’s history is rich with swash-buckling scenes. Allison Prang, WSJ, 22 Oct. 2021 Next in line are those tiny sand crabs that tickle your toes in the swash zone, where waves push up onto the sloping beachfront leaving lines of foam and clumps of oil. Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swash
Verb
  • These can also come in handy if you're exposed to substances that can hurt your skin or if you're splashed with paint, gross road water, or other people's sweat.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • And instead of being handled in back rooms or behind-the-scenes negotiations, the drama ended splashed across social media, dissected in real time by strangers with ring lights and Twitter handles.
    Remy Blumenfeld, HollywoodReporter, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Campos Mello broke a series of stories about businessmen who were financing a torrent of WhatsApp messages that denigrated Haddad.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Hub’s new gig unleashes a torrent of comically exaggerated gore and populates his world with even more colorful characters.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • If the world, led by Europe, sold American bonds, U.S. domestic interest rates would spike upwards, taking some of the bravado off the MAGA swagger.
    David McWilliams, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The swagger, the shorts, the sunglasses with the Croakies worn by the oldest son, Saxon, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger: That all checks out.
    Rick Rojas, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This volatility seems to go hand in hand with a political shift: an administration seemingly indifferent to, or unconcerned with, how its policies and rhetoric ripple outward.
    Alex Ashley, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • These tariffs will ripple through the economy, making everything pricier.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This option returns the pond to its full former glory including sluice gate repair, dredging the full pond area and recreational enhancements to include 5.7 acres of open water and two fishing platforms.
    Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2024
  • In 2014, Kyrgyz and Tajik conscripts exchanged fire over a strategic sluice in Ak-Sai.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2016
Noun
  • This vibrant fruity floral packs a whole lot of sass into one tiny bottle.
    Mary Honkus, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Known for her problem-solving skills, quick thinking, and a touch of sass—which often help the gang overcome challenges.
    Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The new spillway would have gates lower than the dam’s existing spillway, allowing water to be released while the reservoir is at lower levels, such as before a large storm passes through.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Improving the spillway, modifying the shape and elevation of the dam embankment, installing new flood early warning systems and relocating a wastewater line are on the project's to-do list.
    Asher Price, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • As the value and worth of the collection have come to attention, the museum realizes its liability — it is located within the Jones Falls floodway.
    Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Blue Sky Surveying & Mapping Corp. failed to show a federal floodway overlapping the new city council chamber.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swash. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!