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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 One whale traveled just over 9,300 miles (15,000 kilometers), outranking previous recordholders including a humpback that swam from Colombia to Zanzibar. ABC News, 19 May 2026 Cal Fire said California State Parks lifeguards swam from Greyhound State Beach CA State Parks with lifeguards and AMR responded. Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 19 May 2026 The original oceanic adventure was released only a decade ago, and the second movie swam into theaters in November 2024. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 13 May 2026 Crisp swam up to over a dozen people in the wave pool that day and placed his hands on their buttocks, according to Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Brittany Ford, who was referring to surveillance footage reviewed by law enforcement. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2026 Jerry swam strongly for three or four minutes, then rolled over on his back and floated. Jim Hoagland, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026 Images taken a day earlier showed divers alongside Timmy as the humpback whale swam into the barge. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 My grandfather swam there, was an all-American swimmer. Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 The Marlins swam away with a 3-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon to take two of three in the series. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swam
Verb
  • Other vehicles spun in the middle of the freeway as cars passed.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
  • The two-time Masters champion spun, glared at the spectator, grumbled under his breath and seemed to point out the person to security.
    CBS News, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Yet hotel occupancy rates that year hovered at a dismal 30 percent.
    New York Times, New York Times, 16 May 2026
  • That sense of momentum hovered over the entire fair.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Over the course of May 9 and 10, scientists at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory worked around the clock to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Andes hantavirus, which has sickened at least 10 and killed three people who sailed on board the MV Hondius.
    Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 18 May 2026
  • The ship then sailed for the port of Praia in Cape Verde, but was denied permission to dock.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • The proposal differs from other ideas that have been floated to replace gas tax money that isn't collected from EV drivers.
    Keith Laing, USA Today, 18 May 2026
  • Watts has said doctors initially dismissed her menopause symptoms and floated other diagnoses before considering hormones.
    Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Any natural satellites of Psyche could’ve been ejected from the body by ancient impacts—or might’ve even been captured from deep space by chance encounters as the asteroid drifted through the solar system.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
  • The film stars Haddish, Regina Hall, Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith – the Flossy Posse – four longtime friends who have slowly drifted apart due to life’s demands.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 13 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swam. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on swam

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster