swat 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swatnext
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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swat

2 of 2

verb

ˈswät How to pronounce swat (audio)
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 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 swat
Noun
Cats may flick their tails, flatten their ears, crouch, hiss or swat before escalating. — Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026 The swat helped Arkansas survive for an 83-79 win at Oklahoma on Tuesday night. — Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says those threats were likely swatting hoaxes. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 Willis threw incomplete to Washington when rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane swatted the ball away. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swat
  1. slap
  2. smack
  3. thump
  4. slam
  5. blow
  6. knock
  7. thud
  8. hit
Noun
  • The attack is not so much a matter of precision as enclosing an area—hopefully a space that the fly is within when her jaws slap shut.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
  • There has been no more satisfying slap in cinema this year than the one Erika lands on a smug German actor, leading to a wicked punchline that shouldn’t be spoiled.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • Technically, this chart is like getting smacked in the face with a greasy paper bag filled with lamb gyros.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The next inning, rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt smacked the go-ahead single.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of smack
Noun
  • But the knock on them has been the lack of thump in their lineup.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The brutalist thump of drummer Moe Tucker renders the showmen in Led Zeppelin and the Who irrelevant.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • While traffic is at a dead stop in the one lane, the oncoming lane has cars driving at full speed, and one of them even had to slam on their brakes as Maggie scampered back to the grassy shoulder.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The reputation of the Spanish railways already was tarnished when 46 people died in January after one train jumped the track and slammed into the side of another going the opposite way in southern Spain.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of slam
Noun
  • There are really no blows to be given him but defensive ones.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The tragedy deals a fresh blow to Sánchez’ left-wing government, which has already faced corruption scandals, protests over housing affordability and the Ceuta mass migrant crossing earlier this year.
    — Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • The score came courtesy of center back Casemiro, who tapped the ball to Suarez on the left side of the box before the Uruguayan knocked it into the top right corner.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Luckfield knocked on 12 doors in an hour and a half and had conversations with five people, four of whom opposed both bans.
    — Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of knock
Noun
  • Discordant keys fly like daggers while snares trip over bass thuds; there’s a jazzy piano interlude, and then a murderous hard-rock siege razes the mix to the ground.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Almost every night in Riyadh brings the bass-drum booms and thuds of interceptors launching to destroy incoming projectiles.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of thud
Verb
  • The wreckage of Wednesday's crash reminded many of the aftermath of another train collision in January, when 46 people died in southern Spain when an Iryo train jumped the track and hit an oncoming Renfe train.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The teams combined to hit just four homers, three for Milwaukee.
    — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hit

Browse Nearby Words

swashing
swat
swatch
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Cite this Entry

“Swat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swat. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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