swabs 1 of 2

plural of swab

swabs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of swab

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
His fellow University of Pennsylvania football players performed cheek swabs on students who stopped to sign up at the event this spring. Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Before Werhan left the police barracks, troopers seized his phone and his clothes and took swabs of his hands and face. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026 Meanwhile, in swabs from the mummy’s skin, Sarhan and his colleagues found bacteria like Methylobaderium and Sphingomonas, both known for being resilient in tough environments and for forming biofilms. ArsTechnica, 6 June 2026 Fingerprints lifted off the window matched 25-year-old Eduart Gomez Ochoa, as did DNA swabs from the teen’s foot and a winter hat the suspect left behind, according to a criminal complaint filed against him Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026 Prosecutors said a rape kit collected during Kepner’s autopsy included vaginal swabs that tested positive for male DNA, and one swab also tested positive for sperm. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026 To identify the closest possible match, genetic material extracted from the remains was compared with Y-chromosome DNA, as well as mitochondrial DNA that is only passed on by females within the maternal line, in the cheek swabs provided by descendants. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 May 2026 She was transported to a hospital, and vaginal swabs were collected for DNA evidence. Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026 Four health workers went door to door with suitcases full of swabs and vials. Chris Bowling, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swabs
Noun
  • Near the docks of Annapolis, Middleton's served as a popular meeting place for merchants and sailors needing refreshments after their arduous journeys, according to White.
    Ava Berger, NPR, 28 June 2026
  • In all, 20,000 sailors will take part.
    Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • At a tumultuous teen party halfway through the film, Sonya brushes off Coley completely, buoying drunkenly into the arms of whoever will take her.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Bryce Harper, star slugger, the Phillie Phanatic's best friend, and baseball hero to children of all ages, brushes his teeth.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Shortly after the vessel was struck, the United Nations' International Maritime Organization paused an effort to evacuate hundreds of ships and thousands of mariners who were stranded in the Persian Gulf.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • Nearby mariners reported smoke rising from where the Fiorella was last seen.
    Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Plus, its self-cleaning function rinses the brushroll after each use and dumps the debris into the dirt tank.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Moisture is why LaMarita never rinses cauliflower before tucking it into the crisper.
    Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Canoe journeys through the surrounding waterways will be led by Homalco guides, whose people were long recognized among the region’s finest maritime navigators.
    The Editors, Robb Report, 27 June 2026
  • Patient navigators work with people to overcome barriers to care and guide them through the healthcare system.
    Lily Alvino, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • After his teenage son goes missing, Daniel combs the depths of the Vistula River day and night, caught in a grueling, endless routine and torn between the dread of a fatal leap and the fragile hope that his son may still be alive.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
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
Verb
  • 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
  • To demonstrate, Ejae smiles to form creases below her eyes, then dusts some brown powder onto the area.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Swabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swabs. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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