swish 1 of 3

1
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the steady swish of the windshield wipers

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2
as in flap
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down the mare brushed away the flies with a sweeping swish of her tail

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swish

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to hiss
to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\ with their satin costumes swishing, the little ballerinas chasséd onto the stage

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2

swish

3 of 3

adjective

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 swish
Noun
Swish swish sounds like it is written by 8 yr old kid or Donald Trump. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 May 2017 In a hurricane, those waves can come in quick, short bursts as powerful thunderstorms around the storm’s eye wall swish air up and down like a plunger in a toilet bowl. Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 17 May 2017
Verb
Nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset, Bath is a glorious English city that seduces with its honeyed townhouses, stately colonnaded crescents, swish spas, and timeless Roman relics. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 Food is delivered on conveyor belts that swish quietly next to tables. Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 28 July 2025
Adjective
Elsewhere on this level is a swish office with a skylight and a plush lounge. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 June 2025 The blend of citrus, peach blossom, lemon, amber, and verbena doesn’t just smell like a swish salon— it was concocted with ingredients that boost the efficacy of the product. Jenny Berg, Allure, 23 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for swish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swish
Noun
  • On a 3rd and 1, Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt got a first down with the help of Kelce blocking on the line, but the tight end blocked a little bit longer after the whistle blew.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • On the first day of training camp, Payton said what every coach worth his whistle believes, but few vocalize.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So we’ve been stunned to see the flap these last few days between McDonald’s and its franchisees over the need to actually offer customers extra value (aka a bundling deal) from those combo meals.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • There's a simple digital gauge cluster for the driver, framed on either side by what the brand's calling Quattro flaps.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nineteen hours after departure the train took its final breath, hissed and braked into the historic port of Narvik.
    The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Initially Mila can be seen hissing at Fifi, just for being near her.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • While you guys had staff inside laughing, pointing and even flicking off the crowd outside.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Osaka said her fighting victory over Liudmila Samsonova in Montreal flicked a switch that lit the spark.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lovevook Laptop Tote Bag Looking stylish for work doesn’t have to mean compromising on function.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Thankfully, Amazon has plenty of stylish wrinkle-free tops that won’t get creased on the way to your destination.
    Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The kit comes with a bread proofing basket, whisk, bread lame with cover, and scraper, plus bread recipes to try.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Then whisk in the cornmeal, flours, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
    The Know, Denver Post, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • For a locker room that’s been through a lot because the front office swung and missed on the worst quarterback trade in NFL history.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Newbury Boston Day One in Boston Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Newbury Boston in the city’s fashionable Back Bay neighborhood is a wonderful choice for your stay.
    Kim Foley MacKinnon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • What starts as a rouse to complete a business deal quickly evolves into something a little too real between the unsuspecting pair—while Sabrina’s Vogue internship in Paris adds an extra touch of fashionable fun.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swish. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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