Synonyms of swimming

swimming

verb

present participle of swim

1

as in spinning

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

• spinning
• whirling
• turning
• swirling
• reeling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collecting
• calming
• settling
• steadying

2

as in sailing

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

• sailing
• hovering
• floating
• gliding
• drifting
• riding
• bobbing
• hanging
• wafting
• dangling
• poising
• suspending
• rafting
• buoying
• ballooning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sinking
• settling
• diving
• plunging
• lunging
• dipping
• submerging
• immersing
• submersing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of swimming

With the incident over the weekend, a bystander reported seeing the lifeguard’s rescue torpedo come about 6 to 8 feet out of the water, shortly after the lifeguard had begun swimming back toward shore. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

In Maryland, where over two dozen cases have been confirmed so far this year, health officials warned people to be cautious about swimming in Chesapeake Bay. — Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

But since the 2024 Olympics, images of athletes competing — and now residents swimming — in the river have become almost familiar. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Water starts rapidly flooding the house, with a creature swimming through, clearly adept at moving underwater as had been predicted. — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

Key Takeaways Avoid swimming in cloudy water or areas with visible debris after a heavy rainstorm. — Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 8 Aug. 2026

Hamachi tiradito at Tio Lucho’s A Peruvian take on crudo, this dish features sashimi-thin slices of hamachi paired with fresh peach wedges and charred cherry tomatoes swimming in a bright, milky leche de tigre. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Kat and Aesha take the guests swimming in some nearby caves while the rest of the crew holds down the fort. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026

Stephen Meyer lost the ring in 2016 while swimming with his son in Minnesota’s Lake Belle Taine, where his family has a cabin, per the Pioneer Press. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026