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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The Michigan stop — his third trip to a swing state since last month to talk about his economic policies — followed a poor showing for Republicans in November’s off-year elections in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere amid persistent concerns about kitchen table issues.
—Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
The debate within the Democratic coalition is already bigger and louder, dividing moderates in swing states from progressives elated by Mamdani's rocket to victory in the nation's largest city.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 12 Jan. 2026
Shapiro, who was on the short list to be former Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in 2024 and is in his first term helming a pivotal swing state, has long been seen as a likely White House contender in 2028.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
What national Democrats may consider In the past, the Democratic National Committee has oscillated between hosting the event in swing states and safe Democratic areas.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
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Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
The debate within the Democratic coalition is already bigger and louder, dividing moderates in swing states from progressives elated by Mamdani's rocket to victory in the nation's largest city.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 12 Jan. 2026
Shapiro, who was on the short list to be former Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in 2024 and is in his first term helming a pivotal swing state, has long been seen as a likely White House contender in 2028.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
What national Democrats may consider In the past, the Democratic National Committee has oscillated between hosting the event in swing states and safe Democratic areas.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 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 29 Jan. 2026.
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