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
Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
On Wednesday, Brunson was victim to two highlight swats: one with Wemby feet away but using his wingspan to swat the opening trey in the first half and another on a floater attempt that was initially deemed goaltending.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 25 Dec. 2024
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2025
The report was false and was a swatting attempt against the family of Austin Metcalf, a Frisco police spokesperson said.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Noun
One of those four swats came on Clint Capela’s dunk try off a lob with 2:35 left and the Bucks up by five.
—Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
On Wednesday, Brunson was victim to two highlight swats: one with Wemby feet away but using his wingspan to swat the opening trey in the first half and another on a floater attempt that was initially deemed goaltending.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
After a Wild push, the Kings were inches away from doubling their lead after two saves by Gustavsson, when Jon Merrill pulled the puck off the goal line and swatted it out of danger later in the first.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2025
The report was false and was a swatting attempt against the family of Austin Metcalf, a Frisco police spokesperson said.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swat
Noun
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Scott tried for a slap but Rhodes hit him with the Cross Rhodes.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Reports indicated that Scott's forceful slap across Rhodes's face resulted in a ruptured eardrum, an injury severe enough to necessitate Rhodes wearing an earplug during subsequent appearances.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Then with two outs, Amed Rosario smacked an RBI single.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2025
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Once the screen comes, Dort smacked his inside leg into Hayes’ outside one.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rami Sinno is crouched beside a filing cabinet, wrestling a beach-ball sized disc out of a box, when a dull thump echoes around his laboratory.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
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Then the silence was broken by the loud thump of Olive’s .38/40.—
Horace R. Hinkley,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, prosecutors allege that a drunk and angry Read knowingly slammed her SUV into her boyfriend -- Boston police officer John O'Keefe -- outside of a get-together at another officer's home and left him to die in a blizzard in January 2022.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2025
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The estate's lawsuit said Clyde Leach’s Tesla Model Y suddenly accelerated, went off the road and slammed into a pillar at an Ohio gas station.—
Mike Scarcella,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What’s 42 to 43? Into a black place of great blows from the little mountains from the sea came.—
John Berryman,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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With a blow of his whistle, all sorts of words applied: pandemonium, euphoria, mania.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The next day, animal control officers returned to the home and knocked on the door, but no one answered, authorities said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2025
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Jey landed a big uppercut early in the match that knocked Gunther on his butt.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The blustery winds muffled the clank of wheels and thud of hooves.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
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But a trawler passed behind them, the roar of its engine drowning out the dull thuds of their rocks.—
Prianka Srinivasan Matthew Abbott,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
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The match began with Uso and Gunther going back and forth with each Superstar hitting their signature moves.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swat. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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