swims 1 of 2

Definition of swimsnext
present tense third-person singular of swim
1
as in spins
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 hovers
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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swims

2 of 2

noun

plural of swim
as in dazes
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 swims
Verb
Julia Phillips followed, soon after, with Bear, a novel about two sisters, caring for their dying mother, and their sudden, contrasting relationships with a lone male grizzly bear that swims ashore their island, off the Oregon coast. Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026 Isabelle hops, arms splayed upward, hits the water, and swims to Mom. Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026 In this image made from video and released by the University of Western Australia, a sleeper shark swims into the spotlight of a video camera in Antarctica in January 2025. CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026 While the Louisville area is home to dozens of establishments serving a similar item, George said his version swims to the top in part because of large portion sizes. Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Feb. 2026 Steve Niese swims in Coney Island year-round and did describe the great benefits of cold water plunging in an article of a major newspaper. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026 The lab has also built a fish-like robot that swims by transferring energy from a spinning mass into its tail. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026 Meet Scuba Santa at Newport Aquarium Watch as Santa swims with sharks, rays, schools of fish and a sea turtle. Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Dec. 2025 So first of all, although 10k an hour might not sound like much, keep in mind that an average fin-wearing snorkeler swims no faster than about 5 km/h (3 mph). New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
Summer offers paddleboarding, kayaking, and even scuba diving in quiet coves that warm up just enough for long swims; by afternoon, boaters drift to the outer rocks. Ted Alvarez, Outside, 3 Mar. 2026 There’s also a large pool for morning swims or leisurely gatherings. Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026 Speaking of the pool, the primary suite opens right onto the terrace, so morning swims are very much on the table. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026 Even in the 1960s, Bequia was the island Princess Margaret—a Mustique devotee—chose for quieter swims. Elena Clavarino, Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026 Leo, 70, religiously plays tennis and swims, and is a longtime fan of the Chicago White Sox. Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026 Soon, the newcomer led long swims, like those between the Golden Gate and Oakland Bay bridges. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026 At the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, overwater bungalows spaced far apart encourage secluded explorations of the land and ocean—lagoon swims, sunset walks, and lazy afternoons. Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026 With muddy swims in the water tower, passing trains as social hubs, and plenty of family mischief, the show celebrated simple living with a great sense of humor. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swims
Verb
  • Earth spins on its axis, which runs from the South Pole through the center of the Earth to the North Pole, once a day.
    Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
  • There are as many flavor profiles for chicken salad as there are kitchens in the South, and this one is one of our favorite springtime spins on the classic.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The first three tracks proceed like this, with Rubio doing jazz runs through a gauntlet of chipmunk effects while the music hovers in midair as if sourced from a Galaxie 500 record stuck in a locked groove.
    Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Though much of his dip in performance last season can be tied to poor quarterback play and inconsistent pass protection from the offensive line, Hockenson hovers closer to the middle tier of tight ends.
    Zach Powell, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Garden District is one of those areas that floats between yesterday and tomorrow, where Greek- and Italianate-style homes adorned with ornate cast iron and sweeping verandas provide shade for people watching and respite from the commercial center.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
  • But even with hundreds of objects, the show barely floats the question of how that chemistry operated, let alone explore it.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That often sails round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver with stops such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Two examples of these itineraries are Celebrity’s transatlantic sailing from Orlando, Florida, to Southampton, England (by way of Bermuda and Lisbon), and this 23-day transpacific journey aboard Windstar Cruises, which sails from Tokyo to Vancouver.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The latter, of course, gives better info, and the former gives fleeting metaphors and nearly faints from embarrassment.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Ikon Pass holders also get two free days (with select blackouts) at Bonus Mountains across North America, including a few new spots this year, like Tamarack Resort in Idaho and Devil's Head Resort in Wisconsin.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Beset by a string of blackouts and a worsening fuel shortage, Cuba's government recently adopted rationing measures to protect essential services and fuel supplies for key sectors.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There have been swoons, yes — stretches where this team has looked its age on the ice.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Come for the fangs, stay for the swoons.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The tent packs up and rides lengthwise on the vehicle but sleeps widthwise thanks to the fold-out floor.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2025
  • Bookish candles For the reader who eats, sleeps and breathes books, gift a candle designed with their favorite title in mind.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swims. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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