swim 1 of 2

verb

ˈswim How to pronounce swim (audio)
Definition of swimnext
1
as in to spin
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around his head was swimming after he was given so much information on his first day at the new job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sail
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air there appeared to be an oily film swimming on the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swim

2 of 2

noun

as in trance
a temporary state of unconsciousness the merest glimpse of blood sends him into a swim

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 swim
Verb
The crews gave up hours later after the shark repeatedly swam past or dived to avoid the boats, remaining inside the canal. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 Gaines, then swimming for the University of Kentucky, tied Thomas for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle final. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
With Project Hiu’s efforts currently focused on Maringkik Island, about 80 fishers turned local guides now take travelers snorkeling with species like blacktip reef sharks in coral forests, and on swims and sailing day trips around East Lombok. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026 The bride and groom spurred tradition and saw each other the morning of the wedding for a sunrise swim in the ocean. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swim
  1. spin
  2. sail
  3. trance
  4. float
  5. daze
  6. hover
  7. faint
  8. ride
Verb
  • Wilson wrapped up and spun Mateer on a quarterback sack, the ball coming loose again, with Cole opportunistically on the spot to scoop up the fumble and return it 23 yards to the Oklahoma 11.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • In 2025, the brand launched the Cotton Project, a T-shirt and denim collection made of cotton grown, ginned, spun, knit, cut and sewn all within a 400-mile radius of the brand’s headquarters.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The ship’s April transatlantic cruise starts in Port Canaveral before sailing to Bermuda, the Azores, Portugal, and England.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Early in the match tiebreaker, De Minaur leaped for a volley and ended up sprawled on the black court inside the O2 Arena before popping back up as Zverev's reply sailed out.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of sail
Noun
  • The oracle was a priestess who entered a trance state to convey answers from Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy.
    — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
  • At its best, Happiness Anytime finds Bridges stretching out as a singer, leaning into the trance-like rhythms provided by Jungle’s Tom McFarland, Josh Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto.
    — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of trance
Verb
  • Wrapped in a tough, drop-proof fabric shell that floats and shrugs off water, it is engineered to survive real-world chaos.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The project will combine an electric workboat, a 40-kilowatt fast charger, and a mobile floating energy storage system called ChargeBarge.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of float
Noun
  • Everyone in town seemed to walk through that day in a daze; Leslie’s name was spoken in hushed whispers.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • Kutsuna has an impish twinkle; Yamada mutely swans about in a daze like an opium fiend.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of daze
Verb
  • In fact, total non-pensioner benefits have hovered between 4% and 5% for more than 40 years.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • America's confidence in the media is hovering at an all-time low.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of hover
Noun
  • Starting and running a business isn’t for the faint of heart.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Some of the stadium prices aren’t for the faint of heart, with a water alone almost costing $10 and a birria quesadilla almost $30.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
Definition of faint
Verb
  • The other children in the house watched TV together and rode bikes.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • For McCully, the hope is that the skatepark will become more than a place to ride and serve as a lasting community gathering space for generations to come.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ride

Browse Nearby Words

swills
swim
swimming
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Cite this Entry

“Swim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swim. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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