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
Once considered a swing state, Virginia is known for more moderate Democratic politics.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
By convening a focus group of seven swing state voters, all mothers between 27 and 48 years old, the Democratic firm Navigator Research found angst about the country’s direction and little faith in either party’s ability to fix its problems.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Think of a swing state in an election.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
That helped turn Florida—once the country’s largest swing state—solidly red.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swing state
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.
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
By convening a focus group of seven swing state voters, all mothers between 27 and 48 years old, the Democratic firm Navigator Research found angst about the country’s direction and little faith in either party’s ability to fix its problems.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Think of a swing state in an election.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
That helped turn Florida—once the country’s largest swing state—solidly red.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
