as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the impatient toddler got a swat on his wrist for stepping into the street by himself
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
didn't sleep a wink all night because she was too busy swatting mosquitoes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of swat
Fred Katz, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Swatting occurs when someone reports an innocent person to law enforcement, accusing them of serious crimes, which results in armed police swat teams responding to the victims’ homes.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Democrats attempted the same procedural gambit overnight Thursday, which was similarly swatted down by Republicans in a 218-211 vote.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Noun
Especially if Anunoby is involved in a play, a heist here or a swat there, the details don’t exit his brain.
—Fred Katz, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Swatting occurs when someone reports an innocent person to law enforcement, accusing them of serious crimes, which results in armed police swat teams responding to the victims’ homes.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
In their 13-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees swatted nine home runs.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Democrats attempted the same procedural gambit overnight Thursday, which was similarly swatted down by Republicans in a 218-211 vote.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swat
Noun
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But the man who delivered the slap has not been charged with any crime and is named in court documents as a victim.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Aug. 2025
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Some of those bombardments have come immediately after Putin talked with Trump on the phone in what can only be categorized as a deliberate slap in the face.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Sure, they got smacked by Ohio State, but who didn't last winter?—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Two 10-ounce bags of Fresh Express lettuce got smacked with Stop Sales.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Though the latter can play third base, both are primarily generating interest, however much might be out there, for their ability to add some thump to a contending team's lineup.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
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The wolf was quite literally at the door of the blue house on Highway 49 in Sierra County, tearing apart an elk on the front porch as the college-age son of the owner sat alone inside, listening to the thumps and snarls and hoping the latch was secure.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In recent weeks, Trump has slammed Powell over cost overruns tied to the central bank’s $2.5 billion building renovation project.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
22 Aug. 2025
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And Patriots linebacker Jack Gibbens punched the ball out as Dart got his arm, body and head slammed to the turf.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The expiration of the enhanced subsidies will also deal a major blow to Covered Connecticut, a program that provides no-cost exchange plans to residents who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but still earn 175% or less than the federal poverty level.—
Jenna Carlesso,
Hartford Courant,
13 Aug. 2025
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The Postal Savings Bank, established in 1911, softened the blow of the Great Depression for millions, before being killed by the big banks in 1967.—
Mark Dimondstein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To get rid of pests, start by spraying a strong stream of water on the plant to knock them off.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 Aug. 2025
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Whether Washington wants to make the playoffs or retain a lottery pick is an open question, but now that the Mystics control Seattle’s first-rounder (via the Sykes trade), a win Sunday could improve the Storm pick by knocking it into the lottery.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Gemma hears a soft thud and imagines Joslin resting his head on the desk.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Thelma stopped reading at the sound of a commotion: loud thuds and shoes slapping on the floor.—
Joshua Sharpe
August 6,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Gordon, hitting holes hard with his physical running style, sparked the run game in the second half.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
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Produced by Universal Pictures, Nobody 2 is the sequel to the 2021 action comedy hit Nobody.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swat. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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