as in sailor
one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel
old swabs swapping sea stories as they spend their last days in the veterans' home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to wipe
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 swab
Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2026
Perhaps more importantly, people from all over the world responded to Uribe's call to action, requesting a swab kit in Max's name.
—Danielle Genet, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Jan. 2026
Pap smears, on the other hand, use a metal or plastic device called a speculum to widen the vaginal canal so a clinician can swab the cervix for cells.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swab
Noun
Athletes will be screened through their saliva, a cheek swab or a blood sample, the IOC stated.
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2026
Perhaps more importantly, people from all over the world responded to Uribe's call to action, requesting a swab kit in Max's name.
—Danielle Genet, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Similar to his trip to the Arctic, he was set to swab and syringe anything that looked promising, secure the findings in test tubes and collect as much information as possible — salinity, pressure, temperature — about where samples were found.
—Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Jan. 2026
Pap smears, on the other hand, use a metal or plastic device called a speculum to widen the vaginal canal so a clinician can swab the cervix for cells.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swab
Noun
-
The post hosted a spaghetti dinner for some of the sailors, said Keith Shanesy, one of the post's vice commanders.—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Key international organizations such as the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization also took part in the meeting to discuss ways to secure the safe passage of thousands of ships and sailors trapped in the strait.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
State law prohibits a project that uses federal tax-credit financing or other public incentives from applying for the local property tax break — another provision Weber’s change would wipe from code.—
Mark Dee
March 26,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Mar. 2026
-
How did this non-franchise movie wipe the floor with the competition?—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ross’ second husband, mariner Joseph Ashburn, served the Revolution as a privateer and died in an English prison.—
Marla Miller,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
-
At least 12 incidents involving vessels around the strait have been confirmed since fighting began, according to two global trackers, and at least seven mariners have been killed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The mop pads feature hundreds of scrubbing strips that can absorb even the most stubborn messes, while the cleaning solution has a fresh scent that lingers for hours.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Each pad features scrubbing strips that work hard to remove grime and stains and, when combined with a premixed solution, thoroughly clean floors.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Connecting with financial counselors, patient navigators and care coordinators could help young patients on public insurance or those who lack insurance navigate the system.—
Rhonda Winegar,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
So traditional navigators like her, who look to the stars, waves and other elements in nature to pilot across the ocean, see the bird's presence as a sign that land is near.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its tulle is brittle and sharp, brushing against my fur like a thousand tiny teeth, a cruel lover that bites with every move.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Guerrero brushed her sister’s hair.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Raw meat was frozen in trash bags and an employee washed dishes without rinsing them.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Moisture is why LaMarita never rinses cauliflower before tucking it into the crisper.—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Observed splitter added to mop sink faucet without back back flow device incorrectly installed before splitter.—
Staff reports,
Florida Times-Union,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Then mop your tile floors and rinse.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swab. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
