swam

past tense of swim
1
as in spun
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around his head was swimming after he was given so much information on his first day at the new job

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2
as in hovered
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air there appeared to be an oily film swimming on the water

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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 swam Carter swam inside behind Ojomo and had a clear path to Mayfield. Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 Mickey piloted the boat to the cliffs, dropped anchor, and the four of them swam to shore. David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025 The screen swam with shapes and lines. Sarah Mlynowski, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 After copulating, the two males lay immobile on the seafloor as the female swam away. Jack Guy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 Then the other shark moved in, did his business, went motionless, and the female shark swam away. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025 The Herald also found a pile of wet clothes, two children’s backpacks and food at the end of a street in Tavernier where the ocean meets the shore, suggesting the group swam to land and changed into dry clothing. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025 Nix swam Denver back to the playoffs for the first time since Peyton Manning retired. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025 Instead, Sam Hom swam at Clunie Pool in McKinley Park, a public pool where people of all races were welcome. Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swam
Verb
  • As the ball spun slowly toward shortstop Trea Turner, Teoscar Hernández broke toward the plate.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Combs, the Bad Boy Records founder who spun his music, media, and beverage businesses into a billion-dollar fortune, was convicted on July 2 of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Jean’s mama, in a kente-print muumuu (as much out of self-consciousness about middle-aged weight gain, Jean figured, as in celebration of the day), hovered nearby, smiling on.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
  • This year, their record after the All-Star break hovered within the Top 10 in the Major Leagues, but their 41-57 hole to begin the year was too difficult to emerge from.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bader sailed across home plate, arms raised, to score the winning run in Game 162 on Sunday.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The show is one of several new offerings on Brilliant Lady, which sailed its maiden voyage in early September, and USA TODAY was among the first to see the show.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • A touch of sleaze floated across this upscale-at-first-glance wardrobe.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • One coach floated the idea that Byfield is more ready to level up than Connor Bedard.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Early snow had drifted half way to my knees in the timber.
    Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
  • This week, Caedan smiled thinking back on his grandmother, then again as his mind drifted to the single mother and two children her legacy now touches.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swam. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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