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
Democrats just captured a ruby red state senate district in Pennsylvania, the most coveted swing state of the 2024 White House contest.
—David M. Drucker, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
This was particularly notable in the critical swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which went for President Joe Biden in 2020 after going for Trump in 2016.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Like many well-heeled L.A. Democrats, the donor had been feeling disillusioned with the party and its candidate after giving so much last year only to see Trump sweep all swing states.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
In 2024, Musk showered Donald Trump with money, spending something like $200 million in the swing states to help the Republican nominee.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
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.
David M. Drucker, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
This was particularly notable in the critical swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which went for President Joe Biden in 2020 after going for Trump in 2016.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Like many well-heeled L.A. Democrats, the donor had been feeling disillusioned with the party and its candidate after giving so much last year only to see Trump sweep all swing states.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
In 2024, Musk showered Donald Trump with money, spending something like $200 million in the swing states to help the Republican nominee.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
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 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share