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
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Recent Examples of swatted
Werenski swatted the puck with his glove to knock it away from two Utah players low in the zone, then Fantilli redirected it down and toward the wall with his stick.
—
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Berglund swatted it toward the left post and an unguarded Eklund scored easily.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
Long regarded as the league’s premier backcourt shot-blocker, White has swatted aside 289 shots over the last four seasons, 57 more than second-place Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and more than 100 more than any other guard.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The 2025 Broncos, with a title-worthy defense, are 11-2 in one-score games including 3-2 in those decided on the final play (four on field goals and one when linebacker Nik Bonitto swatted away a 2-point conversion attempt in an overtime win in Week 13).
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
Silva swatted away two shots and impacted countless others on defense, while Miles started to getting hot on the other end.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Dec. 2025
The association swatted back at the transfer rules being pushed onto them by state legislators.
—Tyler Palmateer, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2025
As Okongwu fell to the floor, the ball floated in the air and Bane swatted it down off Okongwu’s head like a volleyball player executing a spike.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025
That tension is swatted at in the film, but only perfunctorily.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Berglund swatted it toward the left post and an unguarded Eklund scored easily.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
Long regarded as the league’s premier backcourt shot-blocker, White has swatted aside 289 shots over the last four seasons, 57 more than second-place Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and more than 100 more than any other guard.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The 2025 Broncos, with a title-worthy defense, are 11-2 in one-score games including 3-2 in those decided on the final play (four on field goals and one when linebacker Nik Bonitto swatted away a 2-point conversion attempt in an overtime win in Week 13).
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
Silva swatted away two shots and impacted countless others on defense, while Miles started to getting hot on the other end.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Dec. 2025
The association swatted back at the transfer rules being pushed onto them by state legislators.
—Tyler Palmateer, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2025
As Okongwu fell to the floor, the ball floated in the air and Bane swatted it down off Okongwu’s head like a volleyball player executing a spike.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025
That tension is swatted at in the film, but only perfunctorily.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swatted
Verb
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Often, though, the clutter is the point, and you’re smacked with temperamental textures that channel the flippant streak of plunderphonics.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The group has smacked around quarterbacks, tackled well and dominated most key areas but hasn’t taken the ball away like an elite defense.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Five players were booked during their defeat to Cameroon, including Foster, who slapped the linesman’s hand twice and screamed in his face in frustration over a decision.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Its tail slapped the surface of the water, marking la paiche’s territory.—
Noah Lederman,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The reporter, Hannah Natanson, was at her home in Virginia when FBI agents knocked on her door to execute the search warrant, the newspaper reported.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The husband told police that a man wearing an Amazon-style vest knocked on his door, claiming to have a package requiring a signature.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
14 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
-
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
Verb
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With a merciless 56-22 thumping of Oregon in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to their first national championship game appearance in program history.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Jenkins brutally stomped and punched Coto, who was severely injured and put on life support.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Wilson slammed Homeland Security officials for the shooting that came a day after a woman was fatally shot by immigration agents in Minneapolis.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
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Many Democrats have slammed the administration's conclusions, arguing that the video does not appear to show the woman trying to hit officers.—
Maggie Vespa,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dostal blocked Hughes’ slap shot from the point, but Kaprizov banged a shot past Dostal after a scramble in front of the net for his 24th goal.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2026
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Dostal blocked Hughes' slap shot from the point, but Kaprizov banged a shot past Dostal after a scramble in front of the net for his 24th goal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The dancers wove through the crowd as others clapped along in raucous celebration.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Quite a crowd had gathered by then, most of them the retired and the conventioneers who wander aimlessly up and down Kalakaua Avenue in the off seasons, and, when two police officers finally drove up, the crowd clapped.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swatted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swatted. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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