Synonyms of swim

swim 1 of 2

verb

ˈswim 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spin
• reel
• turn
• whirl
• swirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collect
• settle
• calm
• steady

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

• sail
• float
• hover
• ride
• drift
• glide
• hang
• bob
• waft
• suspend
• poise
• buoy
• dangle
• raft
• balloon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sink
• settle
• dive
• plunge
• lunge
• dip
• submerge
• immerse
• submerse

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

• trance
• daze
• faint
• syncope
• blackout
• sleep
• stupor
• swoon
• knockout
• insensibility
• drowsiness
• narcosis
• somnolence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of swim

Verb

With shark sightings making headlines along the California coast, many beachgoers are wondering what might be swimming beneath them. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

O’Shea recommended that people swim near an open lifeguard tower and ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Noun

The races include a 2K beach run, surfskiing, run-swim-runs and an Ironman/Ironwoman course that includes swimming, a surfboard, a surfboat and a beach sprint. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

Gaines tied for fifth in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships, and one of her conference-title swims was, at the time, the 16th-fastest in American history. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026