swash 1 of 2

Definition of swashnext
1
as in to splash
to move with a splashing motion waves gently swashing against the shore

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to slosh
to cause (something liquid or mushy) to move along in sheets every bump in the road swashed a little more of my soda on the car's upholstery

Synonyms & Similar Words

swash

2 of 2

noun

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 swash
Verb
Recurring character Goro Majima swashes his buckles as the sole protagonist, taking to the seas having suffered from an almighty case of pirate amnesia. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
Mole crabs burrow themselves in the intertidal swash zone but leave their antennae exposed above the surface to trap food like algae and plankton. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025 This cushiony highlighter deposits a swash of subtle champagne, rose quartz, or gold while the squalane (the secret star of the show) provides moisture for a long-lasting look that provides a skin-like, never cakey, finish. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 5 Oct. 2024 The dessert menu is just as backward-looking (or, more generously, classic-minded) as the savory offerings: cheesecake with a swash of berry sauce, dark chocolate pot de crème. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024 Glow Set a travel necessity—perfect for quick makeup touch-ups, passing through TSA, or a shimmering swash of color. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2021 Hollywood’s history is rich with swash-buckling scenes. Allison Prang, WSJ, 22 Oct. 2021 Some big trout are still in the swash on the beach at dawn, though this action will slow as the water continues to warm—topwaters get them. Frank Sargeant, al, 18 June 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swash
Verb
  • The River features a winding lazy river, splash pad, state-of-the-art fitness center, resort-style lounging areas, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.
    Mosaic Mar. 8, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Two tee shots splish-splashed into the water.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In some ways, the torrent of money is exactly as anticipated.
    Garrett M. Graff, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Lightning made the sky as bright as day, the thunder was a continuous crash, and torrents of rain poured down.
    Doris DeCleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Indeed, his imprint ripples outward, from the interstellar swagger of OutKast and the android futurism of Janelle Monáe to the mystical poise of Erykah Badu and the sculptural, otherworldly aesthetics of Solange, Grace Wales Bonner, and Pharrell Williams.
    Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Nazar brings some swagger to the room, Oliver Moore is an ebullient and chatty guy, and Wyatt Kaiser and Spencer Knight have become thoughtful, respected voices in the room.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • If those rates rise, the higher costs can ripple outward in the form of higher prices.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Violence can ripple from global events into local communities.
    Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Dump the remaining gravel through a sluice box to remove lighter sand and small rocks, which filter into a gold pan.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The farm also offers other events including a sweet pea maze (included with admission), $8 wagon tours, gold sluice mining, wine tasting, crafts, yoga, sound baths and more at additional cost.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Okay, Joy, get in there with the sass!
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Her sass pretty much sealed the deal on our guesses.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In 2017, soaking storms led to flooding that caused $100 million in damage in downtown San Jose and the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people when the spillway at Oroville Dam, the nation’s tallest dam, in Butte County, partially collapsed under torrents of water.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
  • More than 180,000 people evacuated from Yuba-Sutter and beyond when the Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway nearly failed in 2017.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The closest the data center would be to Weston Gardens is 370 feet, said Riley, due to a wooded floodway and floodplain between the Black Mountain property and Weston’s.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Call it resilience, call it infrastructure, call it economic development—just build it before the next 8-year-old goes to sleep in a floodway.
    Daniel Lehewych, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swash. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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