swim 1 of 2

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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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

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swim

2 of 2

noun

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

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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 swim
Verb
As the waters triumphed, dark fish swam up the steps of the Senate House. Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026 Coming off the heels of a $500,000 crowdfund raise, Verity Noble and Rachel Irons are going to swim with the sharks. Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
The restaurant industry often is a sink-or-swim universe. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026 Another event planned to return to Scripps Park this year is San Diego Triathalon Challenge Weekend, highlighted by a 1-mile ocean swim, 30-mile bike ride and 8-mile run. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swim
Verb
  • My anxious imagination just spins constantly into possible futures.
    Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The Chook on South Pearl Street looks discreet from the outside — a flat, black entry — though its interior is warm and open-air, and the rotisserie that spins in the back of the room makes the place smell heavenly.
    Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But the ball that sailed over the left-field fence at UFCU Disch-Falk Field didn’t break an extra-inning tie or complete a ninth-inning comeback.
    Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
  • For a key car crash, for example, Kosinski really sent the car sailing off a ramp into the woods rather than create it in the computer, which Whittle said had a benefit not only in terms of image but sound.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The floating objects, trance communications, phantom touches, miraculous healings, and poltergeist writings that followed in the five decades after Mona’s death were attributed to her and a pantheon of other notable spirits, including Black Elk.
    Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
  • In other words, the age-old trance of acceptance has broken, and there are suddenly too many entrepreneurs capturing disaffected audiences by accusing legacy institutions of corruption and cowardice.
    Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Footage also captured a parachute deploying as at least one crew member floated toward the ground.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Drew Angerer / Getty Images file For months, school officials have floated proposals to relocate or close at least four middle schools on the Upper West Side, citing low enrollment, funding squeezes, academic performance and compliance with a 2022 law requiring class-size reductions by 2028.
    Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • And there’s still almost an hour of film left to go, in which everyone, including the audience, is in a sort of hallucinatory, post traumatic daze — but even the relative comfort of that won’t last long.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Now the state, if not region, is in a daze.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • There was snow and fog over the next two days, with temperatures hovering around freezing for at least 24 consecutive hours.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The Gold Lounge is where the service really shines—attentive without hovering, with staff who'll bring plates from the breakfast buffet to your table or top off your coffee without being asked.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Serving fresh seafood of the highest quality on an ever-changing menu in the heart of America’s Heartland is a task not for the faint of spirit, but attention from Bon Appetit, the New York Times and the James Beard Foundation proves the crew at Sedalia’s is more than up for the challenge.
    USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • This character is classic McCarthy, from her impressive displays of anger (captured on videotape) to her repeated, dramatic fake faints.
    Charu Sinha, Vulture, 7 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Now, as a former president, he’s been spotted riding the rails since, taking selfies with and chatting up his fellow passengers.
    Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Travel-friendly pet anxiety product Get this dog booster car seat to help reduce your pup's anxiety while riding in the car.
    Jessica Moore, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Swim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swim. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

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