swing state
noun
plural swing states
US politics
: a U.S. state in which Republican and Democratic candidates have similar levels of support and which is considered to play a key role in the outcome of presidential elections
The politics of immigration in Florida, a key swing state, are not as clear as they are in California.—
Tom Masland et al.
Tom Masland et al.If he is so polarizing, how was he elected five times in a swing state?—Nancy Gibbs et al.
Nancy Gibbs et al.Examples of swing state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to a New York Times analysis of available voter registration numbers, the Democratic Party is hemorrhaging voters across the board and particularly in swing states.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
The race for North Carolina, a key swing state, is expected to be close.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
In the Sun Belt swing state of Arizona, Kirk's home state, Harris managed to win 65% of voters under 30.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
By 2024, Turning Point was running the voter-mobilization drive in Arizona that the campaign relied upon, an effort that helped return the pivotal swing state to Trump’s column.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swing state
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The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
The race for North Carolina, a key swing state, is expected to be close.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
In the Sun Belt swing state of Arizona, Kirk's home state, Harris managed to win 65% of voters under 30.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
By 2024, Turning Point was running the voter-mobilization drive in Arizona that the campaign relied upon, an effort that helped return the pivotal swing state to Trump’s column.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swing state
Cite this Entry
“Swing state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swing%20state. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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