swish 1 of 3

Definition of swishnext
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
The swish of chainmail coming down the runway was audible, as models slinked down the catwalk decked in statement pelts and belts. Anika Reed, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 As California’s water crisis worsened, recalling the constant swish of sprinklers throughout her childhood piqued her interest in native plants. Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Nuggets began to pull away when Jokic, Aaron Gordon (15 points) and Johnson all swished 3s during an 11-0 run that gave Denver an 88-74 lead midway through the third quarter. ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026 As the shot swished through the net, James lifted Kennard off his feet. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Russell let the rest of Taylor-Joy's long hair fall in loose, barely there waves, with most of the curl concentrated just at the ends for movement and swish factor. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Mar. 2026 What's more, the city has a swish new hotel catering to travelers who are here for pleasure more than business. Diana Hubbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swish
Noun
  • In the franchise’s inaugural game on March 14 in San Jose, a flurry of impressive saves kept Denver in it until the final whistle, despite the club playing a woman down for most of the match after Janine Sonis was sent off in the 26th minute.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Nonetheless, in 1971, a California Democratic congressman named Phil Burton blew the whistle after the fact, reading the secret Justice Department memo into the Congressional Record.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Arriving for the Enthronement Ceremony to install Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury this afternoon, the Princess carried a classic Chanel flap bag, which, for the eagle-eyed onlooker, appeared pre-crumpled.
    Olivia Allen, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The glue slowly hardens, giving surgeons time to position the flap.
    Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The site, which bubbled and hissed for decades, is still called the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Then there's hissing through the air vents.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • At the time the docuseries was made, Mark could only flick at that possibility due to a lack of evidence.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026
  • In the video, the snake flicks its tongue, a common sensory behavior used to detect chemical cues in the air and identify nearby prey or potential predators.
    Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The ballet flat silhouette is stylish.
    Alex Sales, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Set in a secluded Catalonian villa, the irksomely stylish story centers on a rich family living in insulated excess until an outsider disrupts their precarious peace.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The demonstrators who remained were lined up outside the building as officers zip-tied their hands behind their backs and loaded them into vans.
    Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
  • It can be closed with a full zipper or a trendy quarter zip.
    Ana Serrano, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Prebake a crust, whisk together a filling, pour it into the pie shell and let the oven do the rest.
    Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Re-whisk dressing if needed; drizzle ⅓ cup dressing over salad and toss to coat.
    Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • My dad glanced behind us once to see if we were being followed, winked at me in the rearview mirror, and then swung our car toward Interstate 80, headed west.
    Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Then the pendulum swung and strength training came into vogue in the ’90s and 2000s as more research emerged suggesting that lifting could help improve bone health and prevent osteoporosis, Petrzela says.
    Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Swish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swish. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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