swats 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swatsnext
plural of swat
as in slaps
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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swats

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of swat
as in smacks
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 swats
Noun
The defensive line alone has nine swats this year, including Jones’ that preceded McMillian’s pick against the Seahawks. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2026 The Wolverines had only three swats against Arizona, but that was a 91-73 win in a game that was supposed to be the best of the tournament but turned into something else. — CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
What’s next, a robotic baseball player named Babe that swats 500-foot home runs and throws 120 mph pitches, eclipsing Shohei Ohtani’s real-life achievements and commanding a billion dollar contract? — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 And when Melbourne still attempts to challenge the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Wilson swats it away with ease. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025 Thumps sound, and his arm disappears as someone swats it down. — Sahana Jayaraman, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swats
  1. slaps
  2. smacks
  3. swipes
  4. knocks
  5. thumps
  6. hits
  7. punches
  8. slams
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
  • The repercussions of the slaps continued for hours afterward.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of slaps
Verb
  • And there’s rarely time to digest one controversy before the next one comes barreling down the road and smacks us in the mouth.
    — Bernard Goldberg, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In a fight with yet more mercenaries, Reacher smacks a gun out of a guy’s hand using one of Philadelphia’s moving subway trains.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of smacks
Noun
  • Chastain rimmed her green-blue eyes with black kohl and long lashes, while strategically placed swipes of highlight along her nose tied the actress’ beauty together.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The color-changing formula swipes on clear, then adapts to your skin’s pH to reveal a personalized pink hue.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of swipes
Verb
  • The move knocks the financier’s voting power in Liberty down from 48% to 3%, and no holder of Liberty Media common stock now holds more than 9% of voting power.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The loss knocks the Hornets, who have high expectations for this season, to a 3-6 start.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of knocks
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Definition of thumps
Verb
  • Their resume boasts multiplatinum Number One hits, instant sellout tours, and household-name status.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Dieffenbach hits sprinting Florida transfer Aidan Mizell down the middle for a 75-yard touchdown pass.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of hits
Noun
  • The flavor excels because each ingredient punches above its weight.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Once upon a time, Georgia-Florida was an annual heavyweight fight, two proud programs trading punches and championships while their fans traded insults and cocktails in Jacksonville.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of punches
Verb
  • One recent ad featuring an Epstein survivor, and targeted at Kansas Republican Roger Marshall, slams the incumbent senator’s September 2025 vote to block a procedural measure that would have released the Epstein files.
    — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 28 Oct. 2026
  • There’s seat-shaking violence in how the whale breaches the surface and slams its weight back down (the crafty sound design is by James Miller) and body horror in its claustrophobic, spongy inner chambers.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of slams

Browse Nearby Words

swaths
swats
swatted
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Cite this Entry

“Swats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swats. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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