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
In addition to the various homecoming shootings on HBCU campuses, several schools have fallen victim to swatting hoaxes aiming to foster confusion and chaos among the community.
—
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
When Schneider had had enough and put Mason Fluharty on him in the fifth inning with the Blue Jays up 4-2, Ohtani waited out sweeper after sweeper before swatting one out to left center to bring home a run.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
On the earlier date, police were reportedly called to one of the houses after a swatting incident falsely reported a shooting and a dead female victim.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Falsely reporting an emergency to prompt a significant law enforcement response is known as swatting, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025
In the other social media post, prosecutors said Curcio included instructions for swatting the ICE lawyer.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
So, a fledgling unit of the service set out six months ago to unmask the layers of burner phones, changing phone numbers and SIM cards swatting American officials.
—John Miller, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Activities froze in places like Virginia State University after a swatting call and at Southern University in Louisiana, where classes have already been cancelled through the weekend, another swatting call put the entire campus on high alert.
—ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Also known as swatting, they're defined as false reports of serious crimes intended to spark a heavy law enforcement response.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
When Schneider had had enough and put Mason Fluharty on him in the fifth inning with the Blue Jays up 4-2, Ohtani waited out sweeper after sweeper before swatting one out to left center to bring home a run.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
On the earlier date, police were reportedly called to one of the houses after a swatting incident falsely reported a shooting and a dead female victim.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Falsely reporting an emergency to prompt a significant law enforcement response is known as swatting, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025
In the other social media post, prosecutors said Curcio included instructions for swatting the ICE lawyer.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
So, a fledgling unit of the service set out six months ago to unmask the layers of burner phones, changing phone numbers and SIM cards swatting American officials.
—John Miller, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Activities froze in places like Virginia State University after a swatting call and at Southern University in Louisiana, where classes have already been cancelled through the weekend, another swatting call put the entire campus on high alert.
—ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Also known as swatting, they're defined as false reports of serious crimes intended to spark a heavy law enforcement response.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swatting
Verb
-
An arrest warrant has been issued for a high school football player accused of intentionally smacking one of his opponents on the head at their game, according to investigators in North Florida.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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In the season four premiere of Mayor of Kingstown, co-creators/writers Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan waste no time smacking viewers with a sense of doom and gloom.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
-
After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The van reaches home ground and no one talks and the only sound along that final stretch is El Camello slapping himself to scare away mosquitoes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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First, rather than slapping a latex mask and makeup on Schuster-Koloamatangi, performance capture technology is used to have Dek’s face come alive with the actor’s expressions.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Instead of slamming it home, Antetokounmpo soared over the defenders to make an improbable catch, landed and flicked an on-target pass to Rollins for a corner 3 before falling out of bounds to give Milwaukee a 14-point lead.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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His brief mention of the shutdown focused on slamming Democrats.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Miami's defense has struggled to keep opponents out of the end zone, allowing 27 points per game, but the offense has struggled just as much punching it in themselves, with the Dolphins only scoring 20 points per game, both of which rank in the bottom third of the league.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Videos shared on social media showed federal agents pinning a man to the ground and punching him in the head.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The legendary Public Enemy rapper and dating show debutante served as the guest judge on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, in which the eight remaining couples hit the floor with head-banging routines set to a litany of iconic anthems.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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If someone does encounter a coyote, officials said to scare away the animal by yelling, using airhorns, banging pots and pans or throwing objects.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The robot showcased exemplary skills with the bat, whacking the ball precisely in a rally of over 100 shots with human-like agility.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
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New York put the screws to its division rival on Tuesday, whacking nine home runs to cruise to a 13-3 victory.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swatting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swatting. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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