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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to wipe
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swab
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
In response to one question, Duross noted that the UV light used doesn’t show the specific type of bodily fluids that are present, and that is determined when the evidence swabs are tested at the lab.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 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
Lab testing indicated the swab was found to contain a mixture of three DNA profiles, which police believe came from Federline, Eve and an unknown individual, the warrant affidavit said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
In response to one question, Duross noted that the UV light used doesn’t show the specific type of bodily fluids that are present, and that is determined when the evidence swabs are tested at the lab.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 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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Well, for me, as a sailor, that’s a warning.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 May 2026
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Australian professional sailor Glenn Ashby is a two-time winner of the America’s Cup with Team New Zealand.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
For some homeowners, their return signals an all-out battle, with sprays, tools and weekend hours spent trying to wipe them from the lawn for good.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
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Rinse with warm water, then wipe dry.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Hundreds of vessels and thousands of mariners are still stranded in and around the strait, where traffic had flowed freely for decades before the Iran war broke out.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
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Their count includes eight mariners killed at sea.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Never rub or scrub the stained area; blot instead.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
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The Saturday launch attempt scrubbed under a minute before liftoff because of bad weather in the booster recovery area.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Michelle Quesada, interim executive director of Planned Parenthood of Florida, said since the six-week ban went into effect, its patient navigators in Florida have connected more than 6,000 patients to resources in other states.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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Schmeeka Simpson of Omaha works as a patient navigator for the American Civil Liberties Union and an administrative assistant at Nebraskans for Peace, plus picks up shifts at a Dunkin’ shop.—
Phil Galewitz,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When tetraploid and diploid plants are crossed, pollen from the diploids is brushed onto the stigmas of the tetraploids.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
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Along one wall, swatches of fabric hang in dense, vertical layers—florals brushing against checks, brocades against stripes—forming a kind of working tapestry.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Mix together 1/3 cup of both vinegar and baking soda in a bowl before pouring down your sink and letting the solution sit for an hour before rinsing with hot water.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 May 2026
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Use water and soap to lather your hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Sweep first, then mop with a solution suited to the surface.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Vacuum and mop the floor with hot water mixed with an all-purpose cleaner.—
Lauren Wellbank,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swab. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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