swam

Definition of swamnext
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 Prior to March 2020, guests at La Selva swam in the lagoon. Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026 An avid runner, Enslin, 48, also has swam regularly at the state park since 1977. Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026 The really frightening thing is that these artifacts are manufactured by and for the toxic internet subcultures that Robinson swam in, where political violence is promoted as a means to viral glory, or a justified end in itself. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2025 The deputies swam out roughly 75 feet to a man and woman whose feet had become entangled in their heavy safety equipment that was pulling them down, which the deputies were able to cut off with their knives. Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025 The group swam back to the shore, where paramedics treated the victims for their injuries. Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025 Juvenile smallmouth bass swam there, strongly suggesting that adult bass had survived a plunge through the dam’s hydropower plant and were breeding within striking distance of Grand Canyon and the Little Colorado’s chub sanctuary. Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025 While two crew members swam miles toward the shore for help, Rockefeller and Wassing stayed back. Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025 The moment initially occurred in May 2022 while the family was staying at their caravan in Anglesey, where Bailey swam in the bays nearly every day. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swam
Verb
  • Advancing to the bonus round, Alison spun the wheel again and managed to solve an eight-letter puzzle with just three letters on the board.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Lord spun and scrambled around defenders to get across the goal line and tie the score at 28 after the Redbirds (12-5) had trailed from the first quarter on.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Crude oil prices have hovered around $60 a barrel in recent days.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • At its peak in 2000, GE’s market cap hovered around $600 billion, more than $1 trillion in today’s dollars.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Guard Deja Jones started, but her recent struggles continued and head coach Zenarae Antoine pulled her quickly after a bad transition pass sailed over the head of forward Taleiyah Gibbs.
    Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
  • But the rookie’s kick sailed wide right just as time expired, sending the Steelers into the playoffs and ending the Ravens’ season on a heartbreaking note.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Whenever the president floated some bizarre policy idea, issued a new threat, or told a brazen lie about the state of the economy, Hassett would be one of the first people on cable news justifying it.
    Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The secretary of state did not answer questions about the use of military force to acquire the territory, which has been floated as an option by the White House.
    Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In past years, the Utah bison that drifted into Colorado near Rangely were typically shot after crossing state lines.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Extra caution is also advised around ridgelines, gullies, and terrain features, where wind-drifted, stiffer slabs of snow tend to form.
    Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Swam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swam. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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