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 swatting incident was an escalation in a series of threats to Doe’s safety that have roiled her family this week. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 Winston swatted away the Giants’ trade for McCarthy as a reason for urgency on his part. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 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
  • Communicating entirely through percussive movements and sounds and enough slaps to make the Three Stooges envious, the wild-haired creatures mainly seem to be auditioning for their own big-screen spin-off to compete with the Minions.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
  • During initial ride tests, mechanical chain slap and drivetrain vibrations echoed loudly through the structure, creating a persistent clattering that detracts from any quiet ride through nature.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • O’Connell told the students a stalk of celery is responsible for the smacking sound.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In September 2022, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft smacked into a cosmic rock named Dimorphos at a speed of around 14,000 miles per hour.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 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
  • Over the summer, Raman slammed Bass for pausing a bike lane and street safety improvement project near two cemeteries along Forest Lawn Drive that had come under fire by some in Raman’s district.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The great danger, though, and one that fully manifests here, is that speechifying like Claire’s slams up against the fourth wall and ricochets back at her.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of slam
Noun
  • Toney is one of the leaders on the team, so losing him before the biggest game of the regular season was a tough blow.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • While the announcement doesn’t guarantee that Eisenkot will be the next prime minister, Herzog’s decision is another blow to Netanyahu, who lost his parliamentary majority in the election.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • For current homeowners who have enjoyed massive appreciation (with or without a mortgage) and have thought about selling to move up, down or out of town, opportunity may be knocking soon.
    — Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The following day, a third victim reported he was assaulted near the concert stage after being knocked to the ground in a mosh pit, according to the police statement.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of knock
Noun
  • Fears are growing that another golden age for technology, key to California’s economy, could end with a Wall Street thud.
    — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The Cubs lineup was one of the best in the majors in ’26, but didn’t show up in the wild-card series sweep by the San Diego Padres, ending things with a resounding thud.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of thud
Verb
  • The 25-year-old former 19th-round draft pick hit 25 home runs and 29 home runs in 125 games between three levels.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Netanyahu denied that Israel was responsible for worsening conditions for Palestinians in Gaza's tent camps, which have been hit by severe winter flooding.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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