SWABS Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

swabs 1 of 2

noun

plural of swab

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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swabs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of swab

as in wipes

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of swabs

Noun

While processing the crime scene, investigators took DNA swabs of the bodies, Chaidez said. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 His defense argued that the partial DNA profile from swabs on Maggie Murdaugh's phone should be further tested as well. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026 What Michael didn’t say was that, sometime after Star’s hospital visit, the kids’ nose swabs had come back negative for measles. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 As with almost all single-chip LCD models, the Boom Air comes with a cleaning kit of swabs on sticks for removing dust specs from the LCD if needed. — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026 Yet the virus spread undetected for a month because researchers were unable to get permission from a rigid bureaucracy to test the swabs that would have helped identify it. — Jennifer Pahlka, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Investigators recovered numerous pieces of evidence, including pieces of clothing, fired shell casings, DNA swabs and bullet fragments collected from Cherry’s body, according to the report. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 Addicts could bring their heroin and cocaine to a 13-seat center where staff dispensed needles, swabs, and sterile water to cook the drugs and offered advice on vein maintenance. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Berk questioned why two chainsaws found in the garage and a third miniature saw discovered inside the house were not collected into evidence after initial chemical swabs tested negative for blood. — Claudia Rosenbaum, Vulture, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swabs

Noun

A week ago nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian were lost at sea from a ship that sank when hit by drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone.

— Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Eleven sailors are missing following a drone attack on a vessel off the coast of Bulgaria, according to Bulgarian officials, prompting the country’s government to summon the Russian ambassador.

— Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of sailors

Verb

There is humiliation here, claustrophobia, physical vulnerability and an intimacy that occasionally brushes against the erotic.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Lavrov brushes off German diplomat Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was dismissive after the meeting in New York, which was held at German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s request.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of brushes

Noun

The amphorae date from 4,400-4,700 years ago and provide new information on maritime history, the daily lives of mariners and trade connections at the time.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Seas will also begin to lower as the nor'easter pulls away, but inexperienced mariners and small vessels are encouraged to stay docked on Monday as rough seas and gusty winds are still likely.

— Sarah Wroblewski, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of mariners

Noun

That initiative pairs law enforcement with community navigators and credible messengers to engage at-risk young people and their families.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Celestial navigators who do this will need to account for the growing difference between UTC and UT1 when determining their precise position on Earth.

— Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of navigators

Verb

Another founder, Sheridan Clayborne, built an AI agent that combs the internet for the best credit card and banking deals, netting him thousands of dollars.

— Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 14 July 2026
Zayas also combs through the dark web, a criminal haven on the internet where anonymous threat actors try to cause real-world harm.

— Heather Abbott, CBS News, 7 June 2026

Definition of combs

Verb

The Cece Hand Wash effectively scrubs away dead skin cells, dirt, and grime with a clean, hydrating, antioxidant-rich formula featuring rosella extract and argan oil.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 16 June 2026
Prime lips for a perfectly smooth, even application using the 3-in-1 Lip Scrub pen, which gently scrubs away dead skin with super-fine sugar granules and keeps lips hydrated with nourishing shea butter and algae.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026

Definition of scrubs

Verb

Winter is also a wonderful surprise, when soft snow blankets valley trails and dusts the mountaintops.

— Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026
Snow sometimes dusts the surrounding slopes, melting by afternoon into damp earth as manzanita and mountain lilac begin to flower.

— Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of dusts

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swabbing

swabs

swaddle

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“Swabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swabs. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of swabs

noun

verb

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