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
Relevance
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
Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
In the case of the viral video, however, the owner's context that the dogs get along well suggests that this swat was likely a boundary-testing nudge.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
When asked by director Marina Zenovich if there was a time when Chase walked away from his mother and stepfather and never saw them again, Chase pretended to swat a fly on his forehead, then licked his fingers as if eating the imaginary bug.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swat
Noun
In a demonstration to military clients, Julian uses bright scarlet lasers to render Ares and an intimidating swat truck in his private hangar.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
In the case of the viral video, however, the owner's context that the dogs get along well suggests that this swat was likely a boundary-testing nudge.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Verb
As promised, the singer now slips in the side entrance of the Saban, sunglasses on, hoodie draped over his shoulders, where security guards swat away the flashing paparazzi.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
When asked by director Marina Zenovich if there was a time when Chase walked away from his mother and stepfather and never saw them again, Chase pretended to swat a fly on his forehead, then licked his fingers as if eating the imaginary bug.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swat
Noun
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Edmundson, who had a goal disallowed earlier, found a loose puck and cranked a slap shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The friendship developed during rehearsals, and then a confrontation in the film between their characters culminated in a slap.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Position yourself smack dab in the middle of the desert with this gorgeous two-bedroom getaway.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
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Later, the man appears to smack the boy on the face.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Jin Shin has come across some monster potholes over the last couple of weeks, including one in Koreatown that rattled his car with a sickening thump and another near the airport where its depth was obscured by water.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Twitchy enough to line up off the edge or run with a tight end in the slot, Fisher (6-1, 231) is a bit small but brings enough thump to be the type of linebacker who never has to leave the field.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He was placed in concussion protocol Monday night after slamming his head against the turf in the team's win over the Steelers.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
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An atmospheric river storm slammed into the coast of Central California and Southern California, dumping more than 10 inches of rain in parts of Big Sur with winds up to 90 mph.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Additionally, hometown hero and skier Gus Kenworthy acts as host for the entire week, which features events like the blow-out White Party, a drag and burlesque show with both national and local talent, and the Glitter Ball where anything that sparkles is in fashion.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
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George Kittle’s Achilles had popped, a devastating blow to the soul of the roster.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
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Key's Jerry is a disruption through and through, knocking everything just a little off-kilter with each volatile appearance.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And then, when Stafford and Rodgers and the Titans said no thanks, Schoen landed with a thud on … Russell Wilson.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Panthers’ run game ended the 2025 regular season with a thud.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Stevens said the loss of Lea’e’s father hit the team hard.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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Minnesota guard Cade Tyson hit a game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left, but Wisconsin counterpart John Blackwell sank a game-winning trey at the buzzer for a 78-75 win at Williams Arena.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swat. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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