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
Yeah, no, some of these are big swing states too.
—Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 9 June 2026
The approach of both Biden and then Harris to this issue angered progressives, prompting many to vote for third parties in numbers that may have made the difference in swing states like Michigan.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Colleen is one of about a dozen voters participating in Swing Shift, a project from NPR that will regularly check in with swing voters from swing states.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 28 May 2026
Pennsylvania’s importance in the battle for control of the House reflects its long-standing status as one of the country’s premier swing states.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for swing state
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Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 9 June 2026
The approach of both Biden and then Harris to this issue angered progressives, prompting many to vote for third parties in numbers that may have made the difference in swing states like Michigan.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Colleen is one of about a dozen voters participating in Swing Shift, a project from NPR that will regularly check in with swing voters from swing states.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 28 May 2026
Pennsylvania’s importance in the battle for control of the House reflects its long-standing status as one of the country’s premier swing states.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 23 May 2026
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 16 Jun. 2026.
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