Main Entry: ¹swing

Pronunciation: \ˈswiŋ\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): swung \ˈswəŋ\; swing·ing \ˈswiŋ-iŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, to beat, fling, hurl, rush, from Old English swingan to beat, fling oneself, rush; akin to Old High German swingan to fling, rush

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 a : to cause to move vigorously through a wide arc or circle <swing an ax> b : to cause to sway to and fro c (1) : to cause to turn on an axis (2) : to cause to face or move in another direction <swing the car into a side road>
2 : to suspend so as to permit swaying or turning
3 : to convey by suspension <cranes swinging cargo into the ship's hold>
4 a (1) : to influence decisively <swing a lot of votes> (2) : to bring around by influence b : to handle successfully : manage <wasn't able to swing a new car on his income> <swing a deal>
5 : to play or sing (as a melody) in the style of swing musicintransitive verb 1 : to move freely to and fro especially in suspension from an overhead support
2 a : to die by hanging b : to hang freely from a support
3 : to move in or describe a circle or arc: a : to turn on a hinge or pivot b : to turn in place c : to convey oneself by grasping a fixed support <swing aboard the train>
4 a : to have a steady pulsing rhythm b : to play or sing with a lively compelling rhythm; specifically : to play swing music
5 : to shift or fluctuate from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another <swing constantly from optimism to pessimism and back — Sinclair Lewis>
6 a : to move along rhythmically b : to start up in a smooth vigorous manner <ready to swing into action>
7 : to hit or aim at something with a sweeping arm movement
8 a : to be lively, exciting, and up-to-date b : to engage freely in sex

synonyms swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement <swing the rope back and forth>. wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion <waving the flag>. flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement <flourished the winning lottery ticket>. brandish implies threatening or menacing motion <brandishing a knife>. thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement <an infant thrashing his arms about>.

synonyms swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate 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>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.