swished; swishing; swishes
: to move, pass, swing, or whirl with the sound of a swish
1
: to move, cut, or strike with a swish
the horse swished its tail
2
: to make (a basketball shot) so that the ball falls through the rim without touching it
swished a 3-point jumper
swisher
noun
plural swishes
1
a
: a prolonged hissing sound (as of a whip cutting the air)
b
: a light sweeping or brushing sound
2
: a swishing movement
3
slang, usually disparaging + offensive
: an effeminate gay man
: smart, fashionable
Synonyms
Verb
Noun
Adjective
Examples of swish in a Sentence
Verb
He watched as the windshield wipers swished back and forth.
The horse's tail swished back and forth.
The horse swished its tail back and forth.
Noun
the steady swish of the windshield wipers
the mare brushed away the flies with a sweeping swish of her tail
Adjective
a trendy boutique filled with swish accessories for the urban fashionista
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Recent Examples on the Web
Christina Poletto, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2023
Hawk took four shots, missing three but swishing one to ensure the young man’s academic financial future.
—Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 8 Sep. 2023
The Lakers lost a heart-breaker, Maxi Kleber swishing a three at the buzzer to beat the Lakers 111-110.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2023
One of Santa Monica’s most stylish hotels has reeled in an equally swish yacht for guests.
, which has lorded over Ocean Avenue for 90 years, recently announced three new packages centered around an elegant Riva 63 Virtus.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
Seven games after returning from an intricate hamstring tendon surgery and 2.5-month rehab, Kleber swished the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.
—Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 18 Mar. 2023
The Aztecs would close to 60-55 with less than six minutes left, but Hawkins, curling off a series of screens near the top of the arc, unfurled his silky shot, swishing a 3-pointer that kept San Diego State at bay by starting a 9-0 run.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2023
These best-selling, fluoride-free mouthwash tablets harness hydroxyapatite’s power in a handy format: just chew, swish around, and spit.
—Katie Chang, Forbes, 4 May 2023
White drew a blocking foul on Young with 7.3 seconds left and swished both free throws.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2023
Scott Cacciola, New York Times, 8 June 2017
That goes especially for star Johnny Depp, whose Captain Jack Sparrow remains an unchanging and buffoonish blend of swash and swish.
—Robert W. Butler, kansascity.com, 24 May 2017
Swish swish sounds like it is written by 8 yr old kid or Donald Trump.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 May 2017
In a hurricane, those waves can come in quick, short bursts as powerful thunderstorms around the storm’s eye wall swish air up and down like a plunger in a toilet bowl.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 17 May 2017
The swish was almost inevitable from the area of the court that is his sweet spot.
—Bill Livingston, cleveland.com, 8 May 2017
The icing on the cake was the little details that matter: the follow through, the curling down of fingers, the backspin, the holding of the follow through — and of course, the swish.
—Mirin Fader, Orange County Register, 1 Feb. 2017
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2023
In it, a Spanish couple moves into a swish neighbourhood in the Barcelona hills to ensure the best upbringing for their children.
—Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 28 June 2023
The gradual process of building up this alternative Carole is shown from its start, when Cotillard comes in as herself, clad in swish designer clothes and an identity disguising baseball hat, to meet with Mona and take the part.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 May 2023
Also nearby is the swish new pavilion of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, a free-to-join organization that coordinates public and sports cycling events in the emirate and works with the government to develop the activity, encourage participation and direct investment.
—Barry Neild, CNN, 14 July 2022
Although Riley’s mother Janice (Mle Chester) is nowhere in sight for the first two thirds of the film, she’s given her daughter Riley access to a swish loft apartment and a credit card that never seems to get maxed out.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2023
Portrait Milano lies in the heart of Milan’s luxury fashion district and the five star hotel is appropriately swish.
—Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2023
To clean greens, swish in cool water to remove dirt or silt, lift out, drain well and dry in clean towels or a salad spinner.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022
Seafarers in Spain just got a swish new place to dock their superyachts.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 July 2022
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Verb
Poke some holes in the lid of the jar, then just swish it every couple weeks to refresh the scent and the odor-absorbing qualities of the baking soda.
—Christina Poletto, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2023
Hawk took four shots, missing three but swishing one to ensure the young man’s academic financial future.
—Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 8 Sep. 2023
The Lakers lost a heart-breaker, Maxi Kleber swishing a three at the buzzer to beat the Lakers 111-110.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2023
One of Santa Monica’s most stylish hotels has reeled in an equally swish yacht for guests.
, which has lorded over Ocean Avenue for 90 years, recently announced three new packages centered around an elegant Riva 63 Virtus.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
Seven games after returning from an intricate hamstring tendon surgery and 2.5-month rehab, Kleber swished the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.
—Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 18 Mar. 2023
The Aztecs would close to 60-55 with less than six minutes left, but Hawkins, curling off a series of screens near the top of the arc, unfurled his silky shot, swishing a 3-pointer that kept San Diego State at bay by starting a 9-0 run.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2023
These best-selling, fluoride-free mouthwash tablets harness hydroxyapatite’s power in a handy format: just chew, swish around, and spit.
—Katie Chang, Forbes, 4 May 2023
White drew a blocking foul on Young with 7.3 seconds left and swished both free throws.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2023
Noun
After Kyle Korver of the Cavaliers missed an open 3-pointer, Durant spotted up from the top of the arc — swish — for a 114-113 lead.
—Scott Cacciola, New York Times, 8 June 2017
That goes especially for star Johnny Depp, whose Captain Jack Sparrow remains an unchanging and buffoonish blend of swash and swish.
—Robert W. Butler, kansascity.com, 24 May 2017
Swish swish sounds like it is written by 8 yr old kid or Donald Trump.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 May 2017
In a hurricane, those waves can come in quick, short bursts as powerful thunderstorms around the storm’s eye wall swish air up and down like a plunger in a toilet bowl.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 17 May 2017
The swish was almost inevitable from the area of the court that is his sweet spot.
—Bill Livingston, cleveland.com, 8 May 2017
The icing on the cake was the little details that matter: the follow through, the curling down of fingers, the backspin, the holding of the follow through — and of course, the swish.
—Mirin Fader, Orange County Register, 1 Feb. 2017
Adjective
The swish dopp kits, which are filled with the latest skincare products and fragrances, will be provided exclusively to first- and business-class passengers on select routes and long-haul flights.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2023
In it, a Spanish couple moves into a swish neighbourhood in the Barcelona hills to ensure the best upbringing for their children.
—Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 28 June 2023
The gradual process of building up this alternative Carole is shown from its start, when Cotillard comes in as herself, clad in swish designer clothes and an identity disguising baseball hat, to meet with Mona and take the part.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 May 2023
Also nearby is the swish new pavilion of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, a free-to-join organization that coordinates public and sports cycling events in the emirate and works with the government to develop the activity, encourage participation and direct investment.
—Barry Neild, CNN, 14 July 2022
Although Riley’s mother Janice (Mle Chester) is nowhere in sight for the first two thirds of the film, she’s given her daughter Riley access to a swish loft apartment and a credit card that never seems to get maxed out.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2023
Portrait Milano lies in the heart of Milan’s luxury fashion district and the five star hotel is appropriately swish.
—Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2023
To clean greens, swish in cool water to remove dirt or silt, lift out, drain well and dry in clean towels or a salad spinner.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022
Seafarers in Spain just got a swish new place to dock their superyachts.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 July 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
imitative
Adjective
origin unknown
First Known Use
Verb
1756, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Noun
1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1766, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near swish
Cite this Entry
“Swish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swish. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
swish
1 of 2 verb
: to make, move, or strike with a soft rubbing, hissing, or splashing sound
swish
2 of 2 noun1
: a hissing sound (as of a whip cutting the air) or a sound of soft surfaces rubbing against each other
2
: a swishing movement
swishy
adjective
-ē
More from Merriam-Webster on swish
Nglish: Translation of swish for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of swish for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swish
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