as in sailors
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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Recent Examples of swabs
Christina Szalinski, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
After testing punch holes, wet and dry swabs, wet and dry vacuuming, and tools used in the forensic science community, the research team determined that dry swabbing could collect enough DNA for a sample and would not damage the artwork.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Tate’s hands were swabbed to test for gunshot residue, but those swabs were never tested, the lawsuit said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
Gould said swabs from the area of the stain tested positive for blood.
—Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
There, Swart snaps on blue neoprene gloves and uses swabs attached to dowel rods to poke inside four crates for clumps of fresh feces.
—Rene Ebersole, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
Whether residue swabs from the hands of the defendants who were arrested near the detention facility revealed firearm primer or suggested fireworks use, indicating, perhaps, their proximity to Song, were among the elements of physical evidence that the defense attorneys probed on Tuesday.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
However, police did make an effort to get swabs from the girls for future DNA testing.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
Ramos’ family cooperated and submitted DNA buccal swabs for entry into CODIS and completed commercial DNA kits.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
No large-scale study has directly compared menstrual blood collection with vaginal self-swabs—a gap the authors of the new paper acknowledge.
—Christina Szalinski, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
After testing punch holes, wet and dry swabs, wet and dry vacuuming, and tools used in the forensic science community, the research team determined that dry swabbing could collect enough DNA for a sample and would not damage the artwork.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Tate’s hands were swabbed to test for gunshot residue, but those swabs were never tested, the lawsuit said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
Gould said swabs from the area of the stain tested positive for blood.
—Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
There, Swart snaps on blue neoprene gloves and uses swabs attached to dowel rods to poke inside four crates for clumps of fresh feces.
—Rene Ebersole, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
Whether residue swabs from the hands of the defendants who were arrested near the detention facility revealed firearm primer or suggested fireworks use, indicating, perhaps, their proximity to Song, were among the elements of physical evidence that the defense attorneys probed on Tuesday.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
However, police did make an effort to get swabs from the girls for future DNA testing.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
Ramos’ family cooperated and submitted DNA buccal swabs for entry into CODIS and completed commercial DNA kits.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swabs
Noun
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Valparaíso colorful houses and civic buildings reflect the diversity of its residents—an international mix of merchants and sailors has occupied the town for hundreds of years.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
15 Feb. 2026
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The Treasure is home to an expansive supervised area exclusive to its youngest sailors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Last week’s whale sightings by the Aquarium led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to implement a voluntary slow speed zone called a Dynamic Management Area (DMA) for mariners to reduce their speed to 10 knots to protect the whales.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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The Coast Guard has put out a signal to other mariners for the survivors in distress.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Elizabeth Scott brushes off the comparison.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
23 Dec. 2025
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If someone does bring up his teary picture, Wallake brushes it off.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The shelter will be open only to Elk Grove residents or those with deep ties to the city, verified through a vetting process, and who receive referrals from the city’s homeless services navigators or police officers.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Updating essential health benefits to fully integrate behavioral health, increasing reimbursement for primary care and funding community health workers and care navigators would pay dividends in outcomes and equity.—
Jesse Jackson Jr,
Washington Post,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pH-balanced formula effectively lifts away makeup, bacteria, and daily buildup, then rinses off easily without leaving residue behind.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The panel combs through a variety of influences like film and TV production; art, fashion and design trends; new technologies, materials, textures; and even social media or upcoming sporting events.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
4 Dec. 2025
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In the doc, Rawson combs through family photos of her, her brother, and her parents at various celebrations and vacations.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Precipitation scrubs the atmosphere clean, picking up pollutants on its way down to the ground.—
Isabel Lopez,
Parents,
11 Feb. 2026
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China operates one of the world’s most extensive online censorship and surveillance regimes that scrubs political dissent and criticism of the ruling Communist Party’s leadership and ideologies, including a drive against feminine portrayals of men in pop culture.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Light snow dusts the canyon’s upper rims, crowds thin, the air turns crisp, and one of the most magical Christmas experiences in the country appears.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
13 Dec. 2025
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Winter is also a wonderful surprise, when soft snow blankets valley trails and dusts the mountaintops.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swabs. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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