1
as in gorging
to eat greedily or to excess
they can spend hours at the pub, drinking, chatting, and swilling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sipping
to swallow in liquid form
they gathered in the break room each morning to swill coffee together before the morning meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 swilling
There’s the youngest, most freewheeling son’s habit of swilling cold coffee while watching The Gong Show.
—
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Spirit swilling was down 5% in California, compared with a 4% drop nationwide.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Cate Blanchett, ‘Blue Jasmine’ (2014) Blanchett delivers an enjoyably tragicomic turn in Woody Allen's dramedy as a booze-swilling, Xanax-popping hot mess.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
People who would never be caught dead swilling neon fizz from a camouflage can were suddenly consuming a drink that was materially the same, but was being sold by exploiting a different set of unattainable aspirations, using a different vocabulary.
—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
Vicky Dawson is loopy and judgmental as Becca’s wine-swilling mom Nat.
—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Editors and influencers piled into the train-carriage narrow Ojii restaurant on the Left Bank, swilling lychee martinis and Champagne before settling in for rounds of wagyu beef, tuna tartare, tempura and — of course — sushi.
—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
18 Nov. 2025
Fighting off hordes of alien monstrosities AND digging for rare minerals in outer space as a crew of beer-swilling, ass kicking space dwarves?
—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Spirit swilling was down 5% in California, compared with a 4% drop nationwide.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Cate Blanchett, ‘Blue Jasmine’ (2014) Blanchett delivers an enjoyably tragicomic turn in Woody Allen's dramedy as a booze-swilling, Xanax-popping hot mess.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
People who would never be caught dead swilling neon fizz from a camouflage can were suddenly consuming a drink that was materially the same, but was being sold by exploiting a different set of unattainable aspirations, using a different vocabulary.
—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
Vicky Dawson is loopy and judgmental as Becca’s wine-swilling mom Nat.
—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Editors and influencers piled into the train-carriage narrow Ojii restaurant on the Left Bank, swilling lychee martinis and Champagne before settling in for rounds of wagyu beef, tuna tartare, tempura and — of course — sushi.
—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
18 Nov. 2025
Fighting off hordes of alien monstrosities AND digging for rare minerals in outer space as a crew of beer-swilling, ass kicking space dwarves?
—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swilling
Verb
-
But gorging on pollen alone wasn’t enough to lengthen a life.
-
With the third season of ‘The Vampire Lestat’–AMC’s series adaptation of Anne Rice’s iconic vampire novels of the same name–underway, viewers are once again gorging on a visual feast thanks to costume designer Lex Wood.
Verb
-
Barcenas' tea-sipping celebration was a tribute to Alex Morgan, one of the Wave's owners, who pretended to take a sip of tea after scoring in a match against England during the 2019 Women's World Cup.
-
Bravo is sipping its cuppa and pondering what to do about those interesting ladies across the pond.
Verb
-
Start your meal with one of the mango lassis (the perfect way to cool down in the summer) before feasting on dishes like the tandoori lamb or momo, traditional Tibetan dumplings.
-
When nutrient levels are high, feasting algae can quickly reproduce.
Verb
-
Middleton also reportedly avoids drinking tap water when travelling overseas because of concerns over bacteria, contaminants or unfamiliar mineral content.
-
Middle and upper-class people would have wanted special implements for drinking these beverages and a place to drink it.
Verb
-
Others can’t stand the sound of gulping.
-
This viral anti-slip slow feeder lick bowl helps prevent gulping and bloating, while keeping your dogs entertained for longer with a healthy, fun challenge.
Cite this Entry
“Swilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swilling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
