as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the impatient toddler got a swat on his wrist for stepping into the street by himself
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
didn't sleep a wink all night because she was too busy swatting mosquitoes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of swat
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
Butler, 33, can be seen briefly blowing in the direction of the inquisitive bee, while Pascal, 50, swats at it.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 16 May 2025
Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
So, a fledgling unit of the service set out six months ago to unmask the layers of burner phones, changing phone numbers and SIM cards swatting American officials.
—John Miller, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Noun
In one early sequence, Grace, paying a visit to her mother-in-law (Sissy Spacek, luminous as ever), swats and swats at that fly but just cannot seem to kill it.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
Butler, 33, can be seen briefly blowing in the direction of the inquisitive bee, while Pascal, 50, swats at it.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
In the other social media post, prosecutors said Curcio included instructions for swatting the ICE lawyer.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
So, a fledgling unit of the service set out six months ago to unmask the layers of burner phones, changing phone numbers and SIM cards swatting American officials.
—John Miller, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swat
Noun
-
A couple of good back slaps and thumps from the adoring crowd.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Karl turned on the headlights and got the windshield wipers going at a mad slap.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The baby used her tail to smack the bird before taking it underwater, resurfacing to show boaters the bird had been skinned, the group said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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The flintlock coughed a lot of smoke, but Zutterman heard the 270-grain roundball smack the buck.—
Bob McNally,
Outdoor Life,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The dramatic thump of the ship’s four electromagnetic catapults which shoot them into the sky is constant and can be heard throughout the ship.—
Matthew Bodner,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The Red Sox are in a good spot for their future, but their lineup clearly needs more thump.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kirk followed Guerrero the next inning, slamming the first of his two homers over the outfield wall.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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As comedians from Bill Burr to Kevin Hart were slammed for performing at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival, Dave Chappelle said the Middle Eastern nation is actually more suitable for stand-up than the United States.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Yes, the Seahawks entered the game short-handed in the secondary, then suffered another blow when cornerback Riq Woolen suffered a concussion in the third quarter.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Business is booming, but President Chris Kohnle worries the 80-year-old, family-run establishment could soon take a blow.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Those boys, in theory, enjoy turning lights on and off and knocking things off the wall.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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One of the key pieces of evidence during the trial was a 2016 hotel security video of Combs kicking, punching and knocking Ventura to the ground; prosecutors also showed photos of bruising and other injuries that Ventura alleged were inflicted by Combs throughout their decade-long relationship.—
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Timpani, bass drums, and piano follow with a concussive thud.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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But after the sharp rise, EV sales for the rest of the year will likely come back to Earth with a heavy thud.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The ball popped up in the air and Bolton was there to grab it, except he was hit by teammate Drue Tranquill.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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Hikers hit Goat Trail Hill 'n Dale Hiking Club will hike Thursday along the Goat Trail to Steel Creek on the Buffalo National River.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swat. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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