1
as in bumping
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 slapping
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 stealing
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
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Recent Examples of swiping
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Even things that used to require a brief in-person conversation with a human being—signing in at the doctor’s office or ordering a coffee—require tapping, swiping, and scanning.
—Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
Go wild swiping on lines in any which way.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
Don’t sit too close to this one — the quick swiping through bodycam and cellphone footage on a huge screen is migraine-inducing.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Don’t sit too close to this one — the quick swiping through bodycam and cellphone footage on an IMAX screen is migraine-inducing.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Matthews shot high glove side, and Oettinger made a swiping save.
—CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Find a way to limit endless swiping or late-night chats that drain you emotionally, and resist the pressure to respond immediately.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Imagine swiping a card at a corner station, unlocking a bicycle, riding to the store or your office or the park or the beach and locking the bike at another station.
—Harry Bubbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
In a four-game span, the Philadelphia 76ers star received a technical foul for shoving Donte DiVincenzo, and flagrant fouls for dragging Mitchell Robinson to the floor and swiping Brunson in the head.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
And who is swiping Fed Ex packages from all those lovely porches and patios?
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Bridges came up huge in the Hornets’ win over Miami on Tuesday, pumping in 28 points and swiping nine rebounds.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
In the 2025 first round, Brooks admitted to trying to injure Curry’s gimpy right hand by swiping at it after Curry took jumpers.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Growling, hissing and swiping, Scooter charged at a glass door, holding its ground as the bears lingered just outside.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
As for games, the G2's touch controls are just too finicky to handle precise, reliable gestures in rapid succession, like swiping to move a Tetris block left or right.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
No random swiping of hands for explosive residue.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Even things that used to require a brief in-person conversation with a human being—signing in at the doctor’s office or ordering a coffee—require tapping, swiping, and scanning.
—Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
Go wild swiping on lines in any which way.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
Don’t sit too close to this one — the quick swiping through bodycam and cellphone footage on a huge screen is migraine-inducing.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Don’t sit too close to this one — the quick swiping through bodycam and cellphone footage on an IMAX screen is migraine-inducing.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Matthews shot high glove side, and Oettinger made a swiping save.
—CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Find a way to limit endless swiping or late-night chats that drain you emotionally, and resist the pressure to respond immediately.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Many younger adults describe the swiping experience as passive, repetitive and emotionally draining — a lot of effort with very little payoff in real chemistry or meaningful matches.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Imagine swiping a card at a corner station, unlocking a bicycle, riding to the store or your office or the park or the beach and locking the bike at another station.
—Harry Bubbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
In a four-game span, the Philadelphia 76ers star received a technical foul for shoving Donte DiVincenzo, and flagrant fouls for dragging Mitchell Robinson to the floor and swiping Brunson in the head.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
And who is swiping Fed Ex packages from all those lovely porches and patios?
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Bridges came up huge in the Hornets’ win over Miami on Tuesday, pumping in 28 points and swiping nine rebounds.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
In the 2025 first round, Brooks admitted to trying to injure Curry’s gimpy right hand by swiping at it after Curry took jumpers.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Growling, hissing and swiping, Scooter charged at a glass door, holding its ground as the bears lingered just outside.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
As for games, the G2's touch controls are just too finicky to handle precise, reliable gestures in rapid succession, like swiping to move a Tetris block left or right.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swiping
Noun
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Minnesota court records show that Kazmierczak, who was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989, has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and has had numerous traffic citations.—
Tim Sullivan,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
The 45-year-old man had a felony no-bail warrant for vehicle theft, according to the Sheriff’s Office, as well as other misdemeanor warrants.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The new baby is expected to enter the succession fifteenth in line to the throne, bumping those behind them back a spot.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
People start bumping into things and take up space differently.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Among the plaintiffs, two protesters faced minor charges that were quickly dropped—each accused of impeding a federal officer for slapping the agent’s phone from their hand—while the other two were charged with no crimes at all.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
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That meant a pre-existing zero-tariff trade environment for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic was overridden, slapping new duties onto Scotch whisky and other spirits sent to America from Britain.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Avedian said that the issue is not just about people stealing identities or social security numbers; the danger to the consumer is much greater.—
Amy Corral,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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At the moment, however, AI is merely stealing from us all.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The world’s second largest economy has been relatively insulated from the historic global oil crisis slamming its neighbors – including key regional US allies – due to China’s huge oil reserves, its high level of energy self-sufficiency and its early shift to green energy.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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Stewart’s critics have been slamming her, saying there was a pattern of favoritism at city hall during her 12-year tenure.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
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For any questions, ranging from recommendations for hitting the town to extra amenities needed, the lobby desk was always readily available and seemed genuinely happy to help.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
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Valdez has received a six-game suspension and a fine for an undisclosed amount after hitting Story in the back with a 94-mph fastball with the first pitch of the at-bat, MLB announced Wednesday.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
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The trailers lean hard into cinephile in-jokes, typically riffing on film history before colliding those references with the realities of running a defiantly non-mainstream festival.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swiping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swiping. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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