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
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Recent Examples of swat
Sophia Cai, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
The footage allegedly showed Howard getting out of his car, opening a back door and bending over inside to swat at something.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 2 June 2025
She is seen swatting away a make-up person who was interrupting an interview, and also trying to keep it together as Clint Eastwood flirts with her mid-conversation.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Noun
Ivana Saric Nov 1, 2024 - Politics & Policy
GOP secretaries of state swat down election conspiracies while Trump sows doubts
Republican secretaries of state in crucial battleground states are combating baseless conspiracies to undermine the integrity of the 2024 election.
—Sophia Cai, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
The footage allegedly showed Howard getting out of his car, opening a back door and bending over inside to swat at something.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
In the Guardian interview, Siwa appeared to swat away suggestions that the pair were playing up their romance for the cameras before their run in the house ended.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 2 June 2025
She is seen swatting away a make-up person who was interrupting an interview, and also trying to keep it together as Clint Eastwood flirts with her mid-conversation.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swat
Noun
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Those embarrassing losses with ownership sitting in the expensive seats were a big-time slap in the face to the decision makers.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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The number of girl slaps exchanged between the governor and Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez over the state budget impasse.—
Pat Beall,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The Giants haven’t had a 30-homer hitter in a single season since Bonds smacked 45 in 2004.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
16 June 2025
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In testing with a dozen real-world examples of ransomware, Bitdefender smacked down all but one.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 June 2025
Noun
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On my final evening after the game drive, a flute whines and drums thump in the distance.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
23 May 2025
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As its infectious message, hip hop hook, gentle-against-forceful thump, radiates further into the zeitgeist expect it be heard everywhere.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Sanders slams corporations, CEOs At the heart of the issues in America’s political climate, Sanders said, is an immense concentration of wealth among a select few corporations and people.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2025
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But the door slammed shut following three straight losses.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
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The Senate parliamentarian has advised that a Medicaid provider tax overhaul central to President Donald Trump’s tax cut and spending bill does not adhere to the chamber’s procedural rules, delivering a crucial blow as Republicans rush to finish the package this week.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
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In another blow to China’s push to become a regional leader, India on Thursday rejected signing a joint statement facilitated by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—one such grouping set up by China and Russia to counter U.S. influence.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark got hit in the eye and knocked to the ground, while also doing some shoving of her own, during a testy and physical game against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night in Indianapolis.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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Immediately after being traded and added to the team’s group chat, the chirps started flying. Bennett, who knocked Marchand out of a couple games of the playoffs last year with a controversial hit, was the first victim.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
Noun
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In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
27 June 2025
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The message landed with a thud among prominent conservatives on social media.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Bregman hit 11 home runs in 226 plate appearances, a rate of one every 20.5 at bats.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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Earlier, in the fourth, Chisholm hit his fourth homer in his last five games.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swat. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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