swing 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swingnext
1
as in license

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in movement

Related Words
3
as in shift

Related Words

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Also, James Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown to end the first half provided a huge swing and is one of the greatest individual efforts in Super Bowl history. —Greg Rajan, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026 Vučević was the first acquisition of the 2021 roster rebuild under Artūras Karnišovas, who took a major swing to craft a group that climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference in January 2022 before crashing to a sixth-place finish and a first-round ouster by the Milwaukee Bucks. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Massachusetts State Police troopers and Everett Police officers surrounded Vizcaino who allegedly swung at them with the knife. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026 If swung higher, the pendulum can generate more energy, but it is also generated as a shorter burst. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swing
  1. license
  2. movement
  3. shift
  4. deviate
  5. turn
  6. manipulate
  7. rotate
  8. hang
Noun
  • Boston is set to roll out the welcome mat for soccer fans from around the globe for the World Cup, while the town hosting the premier event is threatening to withhold an essential license.
    — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
  • His family says Wade's life changed in September 2025, when he was pulled over for failing to use a turn signal in Conyers and arrested for driving without a license.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of license
Noun
  • Articles supporting the city’s democracy movement, including antigovernment protests that rocked the city in 2019, attracted many pro-democracy readers.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • And second, while owner Jeff Bezos may have protected his space company from presidential retaliation, there’s no sign the Post won any benefits from the president or his movement.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of movement
Noun
  • Mohan highlighted that a favorable mix shift to higher capacity HDDs, stable pricing, and a focus on cost improvements could fuel gross margin above 50%, an operating margin of more than 40%, and EPS higher than $20.
    — TipRanks, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The shift could also be transformative for India, currently the world’s diabetes capital and among the fastest-growing markets on the planet for anti-obesity treatments and drugs.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of shift
Verb
  • There remains hesitation from many to deviate from norms by investing in personal security, but boardrooms are increasingly intervening and pressuring CEOs to do so, Krummrich said.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Over the past few years, San Jose has deviated from the Housing First model by investing more money into interim housing options as an alternative to living on the streets.
    — Devan Patel, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • Will this race and the other changes create an opportunity for NASCAR to turn the page on its difficult 2025?
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The new food pyramid has turned things upside down.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of turn
Verb
  • His belief that a conspiratorial coterie of people is manipulating American policy.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Certain brands of that vintage can be manipulated in ways that later models can’t.
    — Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • Use a broom or vacuum cleaner with the rotating beater bar turned off (suction and stationary brush only).
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The central bank faces shifting dynamics this year, with a rotating cast of regional presidents that seems titled toward a more aggressive posture on fighting inflation and a chair-designate, Kevin Warsh, who is likely to push for lower rates.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • Wandering the icy streets of Cortina in a furry hat, houndstooth coat and enough swagger to make the snowflake medal hanging from his neck jangle in agreement, Coach Snoop (as one of his beanies reads) appears in his element.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Those walls covered in pages from Italian pin-up magazines were hung by the company founders in 2018, after a long night of drinking.
    — Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of hang

Browse Nearby Words

swineherds
swing
swinging
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on swing

Nglish: Translation of swing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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