as in smacked
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
Relevance
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 swatted
Henry is a serial stiff arm enthusiast, so rather than leading with his body, Strong waited for Henry to make a move and then swatted Henry’s arm away.
—
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
In the eighth inning, Edwards swatted a three-run homer to right field.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Ewers started 0-4 and had the ball swatted out of his hands to set up a Chicago touchdown, one of two fumbles on his day.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
Mims swatted Pollock's hand away, then stormed off.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Faber swatted the puck into the net for good measure anyway, kicking off a brief dust-up between Faber and Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano, which ended with both men in the penalty box and the Wild on another power play.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2024
Yoon's move to impose martial law earlier this week for the first time since 1980 was swatted down by angry opposition lawmakers, who are planning an impeachment vote against Yoon on Saturday.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Brunson’s early output set the tone Thursday for another balanced offensive explosion by the Knicks, who swatted away the Hornets, 125-101, at Madison Square Garden for their fourth consecutive win.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
Key moment Kopitar swatted in Moore’s rebound early in the third.
—Dan Greenspan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
In the eighth inning, Edwards swatted a three-run homer to right field.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Ewers started 0-4 and had the ball swatted out of his hands to set up a Chicago touchdown, one of two fumbles on his day.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
Mims swatted Pollock's hand away, then stormed off.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Faber swatted the puck into the net for good measure anyway, kicking off a brief dust-up between Faber and Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano, which ended with both men in the penalty box and the Wild on another power play.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2024
Yoon's move to impose martial law earlier this week for the first time since 1980 was swatted down by angry opposition lawmakers, who are planning an impeachment vote against Yoon on Saturday.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Brunson’s early output set the tone Thursday for another balanced offensive explosion by the Knicks, who swatted away the Hornets, 125-101, at Madison Square Garden for their fourth consecutive win.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
Key moment Kopitar swatted in Moore’s rebound early in the third.
—Dan Greenspan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swatted
Verb
-
This lesson smacked me in the face Sunday as Russell Wilson went off for 450 passing yards despite the Giants' dramatic 40-37 OT loss to the Dallas Cowboys.—
Chris Bumbaca,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The Chiefs crushed the Patriots that night, winning 41-14 at Arrowhead Stadium and Brady was benched after the Chiefs smacked him down.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ma slapped me and was right to do so.—
Anahid Nersessian,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson apologized for pushing a fan, who slapped his helmet following a touchdown in the 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Grant Delpit turned heads during the 2024 NFL season when his strong tackle knocked 252-pound running back Derrick Henry to the turf.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The jeans also have a cropped length that hits right at the ankle and patch pockets that not only look cute, but are also functional.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Denholm is giving interviews to explain the board’s decision to award Musk a pay package that could be worth $1 trillion if the company hits milestones for market capitalization, profits, and vehicle production.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After McNeil refused to get out of his car, Bowers smashed the driver’s side window, punched McNeil in the head and pulled him out of the SUV.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The man, later identified as 39-year-old Ismael Hernandez-Padilla, pulled the woman into an empty lot, thenstrangled and punched her, police said.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the aftermath of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, several Democratic power players mourned him and slammed political violence.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The vehicle then went off the roadway and slammed into a utility box, a sheriff’s news release said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This prompted an intervention from the speaker, who banged his gavel multiple times.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Maximo Acosta banged a leadoff double off the center-field wall.—
Alex Krutchik,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And many Democrats, who polls indicate still believe in Russiagate in significant numbers, likely clapped.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
There also were some attendees who clapped, per journalist Ben Rothenberg.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swatted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swatted. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share