swing 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swingnext
1
as in licence

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2
as in movement

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3
as in shift

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swing

2 of 2

verb

ˈswiŋ How to pronounce swing (audio)
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.

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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

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3
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a man who's able to swing two full-time jobs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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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

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6
as in to afford
to have enough money for I don't think that we can swing that hefty a mortgage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The show swings, with melodramatic ease, between success and failure. —Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025 But eight years later, the big front door at 14 W. 10th Street swung open again. —Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swing
  1. movement
  2. shift
  3. deviate
  4. turn
  5. manipulate
  6. rotate
  7. hang
  8. afford
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
Definition of movement
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of shift
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of deviate
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
Definition of turn
Verb
  • It could be manipulated by the therapist or simply placed in the correct position by the individual.
    — Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
  • These are powers that many politicians – including, currently, U.S. President Donald Trump – would seemingly like to control or at least manipulate.
    — Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • Stop in for handcrafted cocktails, beer, and wine in the company of live music and rotating art installations.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Wilcke: While the quarterbacks rotated early and often, Loftis and Harrell looked to be in a 1A-1B role, while Wilcke worked with the second team.
    — Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • On January 16th, Yorkshire’s executioner hanged all fourteen condemned men.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • When the Wolves started the 2024 playoffs, dread hung over the fan base about the prospects of a series against the Phoenix Suns, who dominated them in the regular season.
    — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of hang
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
  • Can the club afford to pay two coaches top dollar concurrently?
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of afford

Browse Nearby Words

swineherds
swing
swinging
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on swing

Nglish: Translation of swing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swing

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