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
  • Social media videos of him hitting tennis balls and baseballs while listing his policy proposals have provided a font of online mockery.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Lips and eyes were also adorned at the L’Oreal Paris booth, where guests received touch-ups before hitting the adjacent Allure Red Carpet.
    — Eden Stuart, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • Intriguingly, this might not just be slapping boards into a plastic box.
    — Sean Hollister, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
  • That incident involved Smith rushing the stage and slapping host Chris Rock with an open hand after the Oscars host made jokes about Jada Pinkett Smith.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • The familyâs legal team filed complaints targeting Iranian officials who bankrolled Hamas, slamming the ICC for double standards and demanding arrest warrants for the regime bosses backing the atrocity.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Alex Alvarado’s political action committee is behind the texts slamming Rodriguez in an apparent effort to help Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier stay in office.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of slamming
Verb
  • Video shared by NorCal Resist showed Moreida standing in the street recording an approaching SUV when its front-right corner struck him, knocking him to the pavement.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Coral Springs Police said 44-year-old Matthew John Ryan rammed a shopping cart with a dog inside into the menorah at Chabad of Coral Springs on North University Drive, knocking it completely over.
    — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 19 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
  • When substitute Gleiker Mendoza sealed the win with a superb shot into the top corner, Turan ran up the touchline, punching the air in delight.
    — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of punching
Verb
  • It was recast by two local foundry workers, John Pass and John Stow, not once but twice, because the first recast produced a sound that one bystander likened to coal scuttles banging together.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And then — more oysters, higher this time, cruel, pleasant things cutting at my hips, banging my thighs.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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