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
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Recent Examples of swatted
The All-American sophomore didn’t even look at the basket, volleying the ball back to Quinonez, and Quinonez instantly swatted it back at Strong as the defender between them faced whiplash trying to get in position.
—
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
But on Sunday, anyone with an ego got swatted on the nose.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Viel caught Dach in Anaheim’s end three minutes in after the Montreal forward swatted at the puck with his arm but missed.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Viel caught Dach in Anaheim's end three minutes in after the Montreal forward swatted at the puck with his arm but missed.
—CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
The 6-foot-5 native of Brazil swatted away the shot of Montana State’s Ella Johnson, preserving the Vandals’ 60-57 win on Wednesday afternoon at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
Shvo has previously swatted away suggestions that his relationship with BVK was strained or that the pension fund was looking to replace him.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Mar. 2026
When big man Al Horford swatted away a shot in the second quarter, Nakase cracked a joke about how the veteran still had a little bounce in his game, blending the humor with her appreciation for his longevity.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar stumbled, springing a 2-on-1 break with Boldy feeding a cross-ice pass to Marcus Johansson, whose wrist shot hit the left post, then got a piece of the goalie before a Colorado defender swatted it away from the goalmouth.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
But on Sunday, anyone with an ego got swatted on the nose.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Viel caught Dach in Anaheim’s end three minutes in after the Montreal forward swatted at the puck with his arm but missed.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Viel caught Dach in Anaheim's end three minutes in after the Montreal forward swatted at the puck with his arm but missed.
—CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
The 6-foot-5 native of Brazil swatted away the shot of Montana State’s Ella Johnson, preserving the Vandals’ 60-57 win on Wednesday afternoon at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
Shvo has previously swatted away suggestions that his relationship with BVK was strained or that the pension fund was looking to replace him.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Mar. 2026
When big man Al Horford swatted away a shot in the second quarter, Nakase cracked a joke about how the veteran still had a little bounce in his game, blending the humor with her appreciation for his longevity.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar stumbled, springing a 2-on-1 break with Boldy feeding a cross-ice pass to Marcus Johansson, whose wrist shot hit the left post, then got a piece of the goalie before a Colorado defender swatted it away from the goalmouth.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swatted
Verb
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So, each got smacked with a Stop Sale.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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Toni Martínez’s clever backheel from the byline smacked off Marin’s head just four meters from goal and flew past his own goalkeeper.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The administration has also slapped tariffs on some specific products, including steel, lumber, and cars.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
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The ingredients aren’t random cocktail names slapped onto standard drinks — they’re built to match the films.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One victim was knocked unconscious for several seconds, while another was surrounded and attacked.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
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Dallas has knocked Colorado out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs three times this decade — in the COVID-19 bubble tournament of 2020, then again in each of the past two years.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ball then hit the football goal post crossbar and bounded down to Luis Duenas who headed it from point-blank range toward the net.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
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The organization doesn’t expect Owens to hit and pitch in the same game this year, but intends to build him toward that goal eventually.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The senior was even more delighted to add a championship hat to her new collection after winning the Big East Tournament, and the team gave her the honor of placing the logo sticker on the NCAA Tournament ticket poster that officially punched UConn’s bid.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
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Witnesses recorded a video of Barranco screaming in pain as four agents piled on top of him and punched him during the arrest.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Zardari slammed the government in Kabul.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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Several people were hospitalized after a car slammed into the rear of another vehicle in front of the Aura nightclub in Kansas City’s midtown, and police suspect impairment was a factor, a police spokeswoman said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And drummer Josh Freese, who returned to Nine Inch Nails last year after Foo Fighters dropped him for NIN’s previous drummer, Ilan Rubin, banged a percussion solo long enough for his bandmates to rush and join him on the main stage.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
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On Tuesday, Freeny banged for loose balls and rebounds and helped limit Cornhuskers’ guard Pryce Sandfort to nine points on nine field-goal attempts.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Aztecs fans, getting a workout in, stood and clapped for the entire drought.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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Earlier that night, Taylor clapped fervently as the Academy Awards got underway at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swatted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swatted. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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