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 a swing state, Ohio has increasingly leaned Republican, but the Democratic Party will be hoping to make gains in the midterms.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
Economic distress could impact voters' choices in the key swing state.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025
Among those that will be most closely watched are races in the swing states of Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina, where Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper launched a bid Monday to replace outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
The big question is whether the focus on the building could be a justification for potentially firing Powell before his term ends.
House Republicans in key swing states have held telephone town halls this week as questions mount about Jeffrey Epstein.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 July 2025
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Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
Economic distress could impact voters' choices in the key swing state.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025
Among those that will be most closely watched are races in the swing states of Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina, where Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper launched a bid Monday to replace outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
The big question is whether the focus on the building could be a justification for potentially firing Powell before his term ends.
House Republicans in key swing states have held telephone town halls this week as questions mount about Jeffrey Epstein.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 July 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 3 Sep. 2025.
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