as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
one swipe of a grizzly's paw can do a person in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something
a blindfolded partygoer swiping at the piñata with a stick spent most of the camping trip swiping mosquitos
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
that car just swiped the fender of our car
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
somebody swiped the stop sign that used to be on the corner left his phone at the library and it got swiped
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 swipe
Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
The formula is slippery-smooth, coating lashes in just one or two swipes.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Her life’s work was stolen early Monday when thieves swiped a shipping box containing many of her puppets from outside her Beachwood Canyon apartment.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swipe
Noun
Harmon tied a record of 346 career steals that Linda Waggoner set in 1980 during the second quarter, and a swipe of a bad pass by LSU's Mikaylah Williams in the third quarter gave Harmon the record.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
The formula is slippery-smooth, coating lashes in just one or two swipes.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Brazilian ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen swiped away the competition with a powerful final run in the Olympic giant slalom on Saturday, winning gold and earning South America's first-ever medal at a Winter Games.
—CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Her life’s work was stolen early Monday when thieves swiped a shipping box containing many of her puppets from outside her Beachwood Canyon apartment.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swipe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swipe
Noun
-
The two slowly approached each other and Diabate put his head down to butt up against Duren’s forehead, leading to Duren taking a slap and swipe at Diabate.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In this world, items are paid for by receiving slaps to the face.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There’s an argument to be made that the Panthers should tear up Jackson’s contract and bump his pay.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a lot of serendipity and people bumping into one another.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere, stories of economic gloom – from galloping inflation to restaurant closures and the knock-on impact of severe tax increases – describe the many ways in which the prolonged war in Ukraine is now hitting Russians hard in the pocket at home.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Finally, Kylie Minogue bags another top 40 hit thanks to the release of Tension Tour/Live 2025 (Mushroom Music) on CD and vinyl.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With a 125-122 lead and the ball in the closing seconds, James threw a dangerous cross-court pass intended for Doncic that Nicolas Batum stole.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The action comes as a trial is approaching in a federal corruption case in which several former union executives — among them ousted International President Newton Jones — are charged with allegedly scheming to steal $20 million in union funds.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Now there’s clear animosity between the teams, which is intriguing for the casual viewer but a blow to the curling community.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In an attempt to cushion this blow, Congress created a $50-billion Rural Health Transformation Project.—
Ana B. Ibarra,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The president went on to slam Moore by name in the Truth Social post criticizing response to the sewage spill.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Homeowners would be slammed and renters won’t escape a property tax increase, because landlords will have to raise the rent to pay City Hall.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
Mobile Web,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Like wrestling, jiujitsu emphasizes takedowns, control and submission holds instead of punches or kicks.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Levito, the 2024 world silver medalist, is the classic balletic skater who packs a humorous punch behind her teenage smile.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swipe. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
