swatting

verb

present participle of swat
as in smacking
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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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 swatting Ohtani punctuated the series by swatting three solo homers and striking out 10 over six shutout innings in Game 4. — ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026 The swatting incident was an escalation in a series of threats to Doe’s safety that have roiled her family this week. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says those threats were likely swatting hoaxes. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 ShinyHunters was also upset that the FBI claimed the group conducts swatting attacks against corporate workers and makes sextortion threats. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 If paper wasps are flying near their nest, Fredericks says to avoid swatting at them. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026 Black-and-white news footage shows volunteer firefighters swatting flames with tree branches and dousing flare-ups with flower-pot watering cans. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 But at one Caribbean resort, guests can now sip frosty drinks by the pool, enjoy long dinners outdoors, or watch sunsets from the sand—all without swatting away mosquitoes. — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026 Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo are in great shape and constantly holding their own, getting into the backfield and swatting down passes. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swatting
  1. smacking
  2. hitting
  3. slapping
  4. slamming
  5. knocking
  6. punching
  7. banging
  8. whacking
Verb
  • But Varma and Shivam Dube (27) upped the ante in the final three overs by smacking 57 runs against Sufyan Moqim, Ayub and Ahmed Daniyal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • Opponents worry that the changes would mean less money getting invested in rural housing, precisely when housing affordability issues are hitting those areas the hardest.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The look is solid, smart, elegant, hitting a summer sweet spot that means guests come back again and again.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • Less than three months after that deal was announced in January 2022, Smith became an industry pariah after slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, earning a 10-year ban from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • Modeling work suggests the duo will keep orbiting our star for millions of years before ultimately slamming into either Earth or Venus.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The impact caused the Camry to spin around, slamming into the back of a southbound 2021 Toyota RAV4.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of slamming
Verb
  • The other student strikes one more blow from behind, knocking Xavier to the ground.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The murder prompted an extensive investigation, with police interviewing more than 1,300 people and knocking on hundreds of doors.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of knocking
Verb
  • Then left tackle Alaric Jackson was suspended by the NFL for punching a Bills player on the field after the game.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The attackers uttered homophobic remarks before repeatedly punching and kicking the victims, police said.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of punching
Verb
  • Kulich stood near the side of the net banging his stick on the ice, and Power found him with the perfect pass.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The autistic girl had stopped hurting herself by banging her head on the floor when she was frustrated.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of banging
Verb
  • There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Yes, there were moments of humor, such as getting magic potions around the campfire at the end of each stage by whacking helpless little elves, but most of it was played straight, to great effect.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of whacking

Browse Nearby Words

swatted
swatting
sway
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Cite this Entry

“Swatting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swatting. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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