swish 1 of 3

1
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the steady swish of the windshield wipers

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2
as in flap
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down the mare brushed away the flies with a sweeping swish of her tail

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swish

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to hiss
to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\ with their satin costumes swishing, the little ballerinas chasséd onto the stage

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2

swish

3 of 3

adjective

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 swish
Noun
Swish swish sounds like it is written by 8 yr old kid or Donald Trump. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 May 2017 In a hurricane, those waves can come in quick, short bursts as powerful thunderstorms around the storm’s eye wall swish air up and down like a plunger in a toilet bowl. Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 17 May 2017
Verb
Gently rub and swish the water around inside the bag (if the outside is dirty, rub that with soap, too). Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025 Sharp swished all three free throws to give Houston a 55-50 advantage. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Co-produced by Spain’s RTVE and TV3 with Sweden’s SVT, Germany’s NDR and Finland’s YLE, the eight-part comedy is set in a swish upper middle-class community in the placid hills outside Barcelona. Liza Foreman, Variety, 18 Oct. 2023 The swish dopp kits, which are filled with the latest skincare products and fragrances, will be provided exclusively to first- and business-class passengers on select routes and long-haul flights. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for swish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swish
Noun
  • Any hope the game might present some light relief had dissipated by the final whistle.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • An hour after the final whistle, a police helicopter was still circling above the stadium ordering people through a speaker to promptly exit the parking lot.
    Mark Zeigler, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • Just seconds into the catchy song, Frankel threw the flaps back, revealing a mostly gold, multicolor, strappy push-up bikini with elements of black and pink.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 30 May 2025
  • Initially, the distance between the flap and mainplane couldn’t vary more than 2mm when 75kg of vertical load was applied to the rear wing.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Despite the protective parents hissing, Henry persisted and was ultimately able to guide the goslings toward a safer way out.
    Seth Carnell, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Those answers hissed out of glass flasks like I-457, gathered at stations from near the North Pole to Mauna Loa, and from the tiny Christmas Island to the South Pole.
    Ashley Braun, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • With it, of course, comes a fair share of big budget popcorn flicks, as well as a collection of curious smaller movies that may just capture the cultural conversation.
    Dan Heching, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
  • Once the puck was on its way, Aho seemed to flick his heel backward for good measure.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • Fortunately, Amazon is overflowing with affordable, stylish, and cooling linen pants that will instantly upgrade your most casual outfits while keeping you comfy, regardless of the temperature.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
  • During summer, the options are limited to a few core fabrics that don’t retain heat and look stylish for the season: linen, seersucker and tropical wool.
    Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • An ordinary fork and a quick hand can beat, stir, and whisk while saving room in your kitchen junk drawer.
    Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
  • The soft, retractable brush whisks away dirt and dust and polishes lenses to help maintain perfect clarity.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The president's team has now swung the pendulum in the opposite direction from five years ago, even attempting to rescind findings of constitutional violations in the cities where Floyd and Taylor lost their lives.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • The momentum swung again on the next hole when Griffin saved par from behind a tree in the fairway and Schmid curiously aimed away from the hole with his ball plugged in a bunker, ended up in the rough and made bogey.
    CBS News, CBS News, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Enjoy thrilling matches, strawberries and cream, Lanson fizz, fashionable outfits, celebrity spotting, and the all-round fun atmosphere that the tournament brings.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The Flower girls, dressed in bright costumes of fashionable gardening gear and props, danced to popular music.
    Yvette Walker, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swish. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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