1
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
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Recent Examples of swam
Just two weeks ago, a coyote apparently swam across the bay to Alcatraz Island.
—
Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The pool was installed during the Administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who swam to maintain his strength after his paralysis.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
The coyote likely swam over a mile to get there.
—Amanda Hari, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Prior to March 2020, guests at La Selva swam in the lagoon.
—Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker swam past Eagles center Cam Jurgens to help force a 2-yard loss.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 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
Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The pool was installed during the Administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who swam to maintain his strength after his paralysis.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
The coyote likely swam over a mile to get there.
—Amanda Hari, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Prior to March 2020, guests at La Selva swam in the lagoon.
—Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker swam past Eagles center Cam Jurgens to help force a 2-yard loss.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swam
Verb
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Founders have spun up financial rails, currencies, and assets that no single party controls.—
Ben Weiss,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
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With just one point out of a possible 10 during this home stand, this team now feels more akin to the one that spun nearly out of control in November and December.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Crude oil prices have hovered around $60 a barrel in recent days.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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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
-
Yesterday’s trial marked the sixth time the submarine sailed out for acceptance testing.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Swain’s pass sailed long, but Weaver somehow corralled it and called a timeout before stepping out of bounds.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Taylor floated through the crowds at the show thanks to a sky-high pair of platform ankle-strap pumps made from lustrous black satin.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
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The Russian president has floated using Russian assets frozen in the United States to pay the $1 billion fee for a permanent seat.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Haycrafts had drifted apart around this time, after one of their sons died in an accident, and Anna became vehemently religious.—
Christopher Tayler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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But, after, many of the groups created to put it on fell into factional infighting or drifted apart.—
Charles Duhigg,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swam. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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