as in sailor
one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel
old swabs swapping sea stories as they spend their last days in the veterans' home
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as in to wipe
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swab
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
However, the vaginal swab is only meant to be used for women who have abnormal vaginal bleeding as a symptom, the most common red flag for endometrial cancer, said PinkDx co-founder and CEO Bonnie Anderson.
—Dr. Chidimma J. Acholonu, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Jan. 2026
Pap smears, on the other hand, use a metal or plastic device called a speculum to widen the vaginal canal so a clinician can swab the cervix for cells.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swab
Noun
The testing can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
However, the vaginal swab is only meant to be used for women who have abnormal vaginal bleeding as a symptom, the most common red flag for endometrial cancer, said PinkDx co-founder and CEO Bonnie Anderson.
—Dr. Chidimma J. Acholonu, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Similar to his trip to the Arctic, he was set to swab and syringe anything that looked promising, secure the findings in test tubes and collect as much information as possible — salinity, pressure, temperature — about where samples were found.
—Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Jan. 2026
Pap smears, on the other hand, use a metal or plastic device called a speculum to widen the vaginal canal so a clinician can swab the cervix for cells.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swab
Noun
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In addition to the base’s security personnel, sailors and the base’s fire department staff will participate, Smith said.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
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Across the chain, all profits are funneled back into the Navy and help to fund its morale, welfare and recreation programs, which offer sailors and their families access to services like day cares, gyms, counseling and community events.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,Ryan Baker,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Other players use wet towels or even lick their hands and wipe the bottom of their shoes to get more grip.—
Max Scheinblum,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
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That’s the only way to live and survive, and to prove that you can’t be defeated, because Israelis will still tell you that they are surrounded by enemies who want to wipe them off the face of the earth.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The goal is speed and dominance, but also restraint, especially when dealing with civilian mariners who may be caught in the middle of a military operation.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Ross’ second husband, mariner Joseph Ashburn, served the Revolution as a privateer and died in an English prison.—
Marla Miller,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sara Aparacio, a resident cleaning expert at Homeaglow, equates scrubbing an appliance with an abrasive sponge to rubbing it with very fine sandpaper.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
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Was scrubbed from Friday because of bad weather in the launch recovery zone in the Atlantic.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Historical context The Portuguese first arrived in India after the navigator Vasco da Gama’s voyages (1497–99, 1502–03, and 1524) opened the sea route from western Europe to Asia around the Cape of Good Hope.—
Sanat Pai RaikarAll,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Apr. 2026
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Connecting with financial counselors, patient navigators and care coordinators could help young patients on public insurance or those who lack insurance navigate the system.—
Rhonda Winegar,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On two separate occasions earlier in the month, Rick Nicholson brushed the chest of two players while attempting to swat away insects, according to the parents of three players who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fears their daughters might face retaliation.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2026
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Cocoon provides comfort through soft, cozy textures achieved by brushing and flocking.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Scrub the area with a nylon brush, then rinse with clean water.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
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Open the umbrella completely, and rinse it thoroughly with a normal garden hose.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Here, three cleaning experts share why dirt is lingering on your floors and provide tips on how to mop floors the right way, every single time.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
8 Apr. 2026
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There is mopping, dusting, cutting, resting going on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swab. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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