swipe

play

noun \ ˈswīp \

Definition of swipe

1 :a strong sweeping blow

a swipe of a paw

2 :a sharp often critical remark

took a parting swipe at management

See swipe defined for English-language learners

Examples of swipe in a Sentence

She took a swipe at her former company in her latest column.
a swipe of the cat's paw

Recent Examples of swipe from the Web

In the coming months, YouTube will introduce a feature that lets viewers jump between videos through hand swipes.

— jefferson graham, USA TODAY, "YouTube updates app, desktop experience," 29 Aug. 2017
Try: Neutrogena Hydrating Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, which remove all traces of makeup (even your waterproof cat eye) in a few swipes — no rinsing required.

— nicole catanese, Cosmopolitan, "The 8 Most Annoying Skin Problems Every Girl Deals With," 24 Aug. 2017
The Olympic Village, home to some of the world's most elite Tinder swipes, was supposed to be converted into luxury condos.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "One Year Later, Rio's Olympic Buildings Are Just Abandoned," 11 Aug. 2017
Hamilton initially was ruled safe, but the Padres challenged and a replay review revealed that Asuaje had quickly applied a swipe tag before Hamilton’s hand reached the base.

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "Reds recap: For Sal Romano, it was bad, but it could have been worse," 8 Aug. 2017
Three months later, Mariners Cove Mobile Home Park flooded again when Tropical Storm Hermine took a swipe at Tampa Bay.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Tampa Bay is due for a major hurricane. It is not prepared.," 31 July 2017
The look features bright coral eyeshadow covering the eyelid, a fuchsia shade in the crease, and a swipe of fluorescent yellow eyeliner on the outside half of the eye and right under the brow.

— andrea park, Teen Vogue, "Makeup Artist Accuses Real Techniques of Copying a Look She Created Without Permission," 20 July 2017
Touchscreens are conspicuously absent from Apple's MacBooks, whereas Windows PC-makers have been offering displays that respond to pats and swipes for several years.

— lisa eadicicco, Time, "Review: This Clever Gadget Gives Your MacBook Air a Touchscreen," 18 July 2017
But for those of us who don’t have the time, money or patience, a quick swipe with a mascara wand on our own lashes will have to do.

— ellen warren, chicagotribune.com, "Peeking into the mesh athletic-wear trend," 10 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swipe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of swipe

probably alteration of sweep

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1739

See Words from the same year

swipe Synonyms

Synonyms

bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse [British], fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup [dialect], lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, ¹blow, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop (also whap)

swipe

verb

Definition of swipe

swiped; swiping

intransitive verb

:to strike or move with a sweeping motion

transitive verb

1 :to strike or wipe with a sweeping motion

2 :steal, pilfer

3 :to slide (a card with a magnetic strip or bar code) through a slot in a reading device so that information stored on the strip can be processed (as in making a purchase)

See swipe defined for English-language learners

See swipe defined for kids

Examples of swipe in a Sentence

The cat swiped the dog across the nose.
They swiped some candy from the store.
The cashier swiped the credit card and gave it back to me.

Recent Examples of swipe from the Web

But give cornerback Teez Tabor credit for sticking with the play and swiping the ball loose from Hilton after the catch.

— stephen holder, Indianapolis Star, "Colts observations: D line performance influenced Langford decision," 10 Aug. 2017
Now, the million and a half fans who liked Bieber’s photo, and the millions more who swiped past it, perhaps vaguely registering the content, know what Zoe Church is.

— sam schube, GQ, "Hypepriests: The Grail-Wearing Pastors Who Dress Like Justin Bieber," 7 Aug. 2017
Protect your pout Keep your lips hydrated and shielded from harmful UV rays by swiping on Perricone MD’s No Lipstick Lipstick SPF 15.

— star-telegram, "Lotions of Refuge: Protect yourself from harmful UV rays with hair, face and body products," 5 July 2017
Your hips move from side to side accentuating the body's seductive curvature, and your hands make swiping motions clearing the runway for your performance.

— rooney, Teen Vogue, "Voguing 101 With Cakes Da Killa," 30 June 2017
In some villages, thieves are swiping the few fish drying on racks, Cotten was told.

— lisa demer, Alaska Dispatch News, "Where are the kings? Kuskokwim River may see its worst run on record.," 22 June 2017
The truck easily pulled the Camry out while the little hatchback’s rear wiper swiped back and forth as if in victory.

— david muller, Car and Driver, "Gambler 500 Offers Cheap Excuse to Off-Road a 1983 Toyota Camry," 22 June 2017
Pro hack: Swipe it under your eye in the shape of an upside-down triangle, then wait a minute.

— erin stovall, Cosmopolitan, "How to Find the Perfect Concealer for Any Situation," 21 June 2017
When Broxton swiped second, the Pirates intentionally walked Arcia to get to Guerra, who flied out to deep center.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 4, Pirates 3: Domingo Santana delivers with two-run homer in seventh inning," 21 June 2017

First Known Use of swipe

circa 1825

swipe Synonyms

Synonyms

bang, bash, bump, collide, crash, impact, impinge, knock, ram, slam, smash, strike, hit, thud

Related Words

bounce, carom, clunk, glance, rebound, ricochet, skim, skip; contact, land, touch; brush, graze, kiss, nudge, scrape, shave, sweep; bulldoze, jostle, muscle, press, push

Near Antonyms

miss, skirt

SWIPE Defined for English Language Learners

swipe

play

noun

Definition of swipe for English Language Learners

: a criticism or insult that is directed toward a particular person or group
: a swinging movement of a person's hand, an animal's paw, etc., that is done in an attempt to hit something

swipe

verb

Definition of swipe for English Language Learners

: to reach toward and try to hit (something) with a swinging motion
: to steal (something)
: to pass (a credit card, ATM card, etc.) through a machine that reads information from it

SWIPE Defined for Kids

swipe

play

noun \ ˈswīp \

Definition of swipe for Students

:a strong sweeping movement

He took a swipe at the ball.

swipe

verb

Definition of swipe for Students

swiped; swiping

1 :¹steal 1

No, she wouldn't swipe Christmas greens from a graveyard …
—Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder

2 :to make a strong sweeping movement

The cat swiped at the dog.

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See words that rhyme with swipe Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swipe Spanish Central: Translation of swipe Nglish: Translation of swipe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of swipe for Arabic speakers

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