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
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Recent Examples of swatting
Getty Images The MLB best home run bets on Wednesday delivered two winning home run props, with Carter Jensen hitting a home run at +353 odds and Paul Goldschmidt swatting one at +470 odds.
—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Another customer said Roberts was also seen kicking and swatting chickens outside the store.
—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Liam Owen, of Boise, who worked as an aircraft mechanic for Horizon Airlines, documented the date of the incident as May 28, when high winds swept through the Treasure Valley, fanning the flames of fires, swatting down trees and power lines, and causing tens of thousands to lose power.
—
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2026
Police are investigating a swatting incident that targeted a school and Walmart in Hamden on Wednesday.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Staal lost his edge on his skate, but that didn’t stop him from swatting a back-handed shot of his own toward the net.
—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Wembanyama reacted by swatting Brunson away, placing his hand near the back of Brunson’s neck and pushing him to the floor.
—
C.j. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 June 2026
Team co-owner Heather Gibbs said watching the teammates race so hard was like kids on a family vacation swatting at each other in the backseat.
—
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Everyone is swatting and waving bugs away.
—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Another customer said Roberts was also seen kicking and swatting chickens outside the store.
—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Liam Owen, of Boise, who worked as an aircraft mechanic for Horizon Airlines, documented the date of the incident as May 28, when high winds swept through the Treasure Valley, fanning the flames of fires, swatting down trees and power lines, and causing tens of thousands to lose power.
—
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2026
Police are investigating a swatting incident that targeted a school and Walmart in Hamden on Wednesday.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Staal lost his edge on his skate, but that didn’t stop him from swatting a back-handed shot of his own toward the net.
—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Wembanyama reacted by swatting Brunson away, placing his hand near the back of Brunson’s neck and pushing him to the floor.
—
C.j. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 June 2026
Team co-owner Heather Gibbs said watching the teammates race so hard was like kids on a family vacation swatting at each other in the backseat.
—
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Everyone is swatting and waving bugs away.
—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swatting
Verb
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Deputies responded to a report of a driver smacking his car into a guardrail in front of The Bridge Restaurant before driving away, according to a sheriff’s office news release.
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As the match got away from her in the second set and the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd became increasingly hostile, Andreeva fully unraveled, smacking another ball towards the roof and asking members of her box to leave.
Verb
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Given the quick-hitting nature of the early morning showers, along with the very isolated nature of afternoon storms, not much rain is expected Friday.
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After slashing its Scope 3 carbon emissions by 20 percent from a 2019 baseline and hitting its target five years ahead of schedule, the Uniqlo parent company has raised the stakes, aiming for an additional 10 percent reduction by 2030.
Verb
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The refs started handing out technical fouls like free samples, slapping Thomas and Hines-Allen with a double technical.
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Prosecutors dropped all charges against a bouncer for allegedly slapping a bar patron in February.
Verb
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The video shows the panicked deer backing itself into a corner, slamming itself against the building and retaining wall.
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Diplo has taken a similarly direct approach — by slamming artists who oppose using the technology.
Verb
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Newsom’s office said that along with the FBI, agents from the IRS have been knocking on doors and asking questions.
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After knocking the trash can down, the bear easily shoved its arms inside.
Verb
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Cape Verde is not punching above its weight on heart.
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Court records reveal he was subsequently arrested for throwing a rock at people, and later for punching someone else.
Verb
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While the cameras were rolling, Spielberg would stand just out of frame with two wooden bats, banging them together to startle her.
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And on the other hand, there've been some folks who would like to see me out every day, right, banging the drum.
Verb
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Larry Hayes, 86, and Bill Moniz, 79, hit the tennis courts in Mountain View three to four times a week — whacking balls across the net as teammates for one to three hours a week.
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And the crowd clearly expected that pucks whacking the nets would be at a premium in this series, too.
Cite this Entry
“Swatting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swatting. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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