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
Witherspoon quickly closed the gap, dove and swatted the ball away in the end zone to prevent a touchdown.
—
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Williams sliced through Davis and Simmons before Byrd cleanly swatted his shot in the lane, and replays indicated incidental contact from any of them.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 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
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Williams sliced through Davis and Simmons before Byrd cleanly swatted his shot in the lane, and replays indicated incidental contact from any of them.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swatted
Verb
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After accepting a cross-ice pass from Ryan McDonagh, Kucherov smacked a one-timer from outside the right faceoff dot over Swayman’s glove, tying the score at 5-5.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
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Scientists have long debated whether dinosaurs were in decline before an asteroid smacked the Earth 66 million years ago, causing mass extinction.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Both said Toth had slapped the mother-in-law Tuesday evening, according to the report.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Khan said Desmond eventually became angry with her and slapped her across the face before putting her in a chokehold, according to court documents.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump, true to form, knocked Biden for skipping the Super Bowl Sunday platform.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
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Second division Albacete knocked Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey last month.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday afternoon, the elderly driver first hit a bicyclist, then continued for about a block before crashing her 2023 Mercedes Benz C class into the bakery section of the grocery store, trapping multiple people beneath her car, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Nvidia now expects its total sales to hit new records in 2026, projecting around $500 billion in revenue.—
Rosa de Acosta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Orlando then punched back with a 21-5 run to open the first six minutes of the fourth quarter.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
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This Polare leather passport wallet, $34, has a round slot punched into the exterior that’s the perfect size for an Apple AirTag.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At one point, Malinin slammed his fists on his thighs in frustration.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
1 Feb. 2026
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After Disneyland Resort increased prices on hundreds of foods and drinks, fans slammed the changes on a Disney tourist blog.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One man pulled a small hotel sign off the building and raised it above his head, while another banged a pot on it to make more noise.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
26 Jan. 2026
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In recent weeks, defense secretary Pete Hegseth has banged the drum about the Pentagon’s desire to be a tech-focused, AI-first department.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The audience clapped and whooped.—
Sara Talpos — Undark,
STAT,
3 Feb. 2026
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Rybakina clapped her left hand on the strings of her racket and held her arm up to the crowd triumphantly.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swatted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swatted. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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