swastika

noun swas·ti·ka \ ˈswä-sti-kə also swä-ˈstē- \

|Updated on: 2 Jul 2018

Definition of swastika

1 : a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same rotary direction

2 : a swastika used as a symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism

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Recent Examples of swastika from the Web

That position has to be bolstered by cultural norms, including a consensus that the president must not legitimize and amplify the speech of those who openly bear the swastika and believe that other races are inferior to the white race.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "In Trump’s America, the ACLU takes a new approach to free speech.," 23 June 2018
Zara Swastika Handbag Zara withdrew a $78 handbag from its stores after a customer pointed out that the design featured four green swastikas.

— carson kessler, Fortune, "Melania Trump's Jacket Is Just the Controversial Clothing by Zara. Here's a Timeline of the Rest," 22 June 2018
Most of the reports over the last two years involved vandalism of buildings and homes with swastikas.

— catherine rentz, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland delegate says driver yelled 'Heil Hitler' at her while campaigning," 21 June 2018
On Saturday, May 26, grounds crews at an Illinois cemetery discovered that more than 150 headstones had been spray-painted with swastikas, BuzzFeed News reports.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Over 150 Headstones Were Spray-Painted With Swastikas at an Illinois Cemetery," 27 May 2018
Homes in a subdivision in neighboring Edwardsville, Illinois, were also vandalized with swastikas.

— theresa waldrop and hollie silverman, CNN, "Headstones spray-painted with swastikas in Illinois cemetery," 26 May 2018
At his door stood the man with the cauliflower ears and neck tattoo of a swastika.

— the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "Chuck Palahniuk has a new satirical novel, 'Adjustment Day': Read an excerpt," 30 Apr. 2018
Above that one was a blunt swastika, so crude looking that someone thought it had been done as a brand.

— leor galil, Chicago Reader, "Archive Dive / News / Race / Music The time Chicago skinheads beat up a Nazi," 19 Apr. 2018
The theater is offering free admission to those spectators willing to wear an armband with a Nazi swastika, given to them ahead of the performance on April 20, Hitler's birthday.

— deutsche welle, USA TODAY, "German theater under investigation for offering free tickets to people wearing swastikas," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swastika.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of swastika

Sanskrit svastika, from svasti well-being, from su- well + as- to be; akin to Sanskrit asti he is, Old English is; from its being regarded as a good luck symbol

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1871

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year