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
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Bennett is concerned, for instance, that Hong could win her primary and then be defeated in November by Republican Tom Tiffany, fumbling the governorship of a swing state into the hands of a far-right Freedom Caucus member who dabbled in 2020 election conspiracy theories.
—Will Lennon, ABC News, 16 June 2026
There are also statewide contests to watch in the swing state of Nevada and North Dakota, where Trump and the state GOP are at odds over the Peace Garden State's at-large congressional seat.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Once a swing state, Iowa has increasingly leaned toward the GOP: Mr. Trump won the state by 13 points in 2024, and retiring Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds won reelection by 18 points in 2022.
—Anne Bryson, CBS News, 2 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
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Will Lennon, ABC News, 16 June 2026
There are also statewide contests to watch in the swing state of Nevada and North Dakota, where Trump and the state GOP are at odds over the Peace Garden State's at-large congressional seat.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Once a swing state, Iowa has increasingly leaned toward the GOP: Mr. Trump won the state by 13 points in 2024, and retiring Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds won reelection by 18 points in 2022.
—Anne Bryson, CBS News, 2 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
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 23 Jun. 2026.
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