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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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 On a coffee table in front of her, a series of small vials and swabs are laid out. — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 14 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 Maybe there will be liquid biopsies (specialized blood tests) or even cheek swabs that can detect breast cancer. — Tara Thomas, Glamour, 10 July 2026 In April, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies matched Hakim’s DNA with vaginal swabs taken during the rape examination, according to the affidavit. — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swabs

Noun

Other sailors described to CNN conditions unlike their previous deployments, largely because of the war, which stopped the ship from making stops at friendly ports.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Again, there was major damage to the F50s but no injuries to the sailors.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of sailors

Verb

During a penumbral eclipse, the moon merely brushes this outer zone and often appears only subtly dimmed.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Flagrantly practicing an especially ribald strain of cringe comedy that brushes several third rails, often simultaneously, the show could have been a disastrous gambit.

— Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of brushes

Noun

At one point, up to 20,000 mariners and 2,000 ships were stuck in the Gulf, with only a few vessels squeezing through the strait each day.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 27 July 2026
With dozens killed in recent strikes and thousands of mariners stranded on vulnerable vessels, mediation efforts show little progress.

— Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of mariners

Noun

As our study shows, navigators can streamline outreach tactics and serve as an educational touchpoint to beneficiaries about Medicaid and the redetermination process.

— Rebecca Myerson, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026
Many oncology practices have resources like nurse navigators, social workers, and chaplains available for patients.

— Nicole Pajer, PEOPLE, 28 July 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of swabs

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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