Synonyms of swish

swish 1 of 3

noun

1

as in whistle

a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out

the steady swish of the windshield wipers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• whistle
• zip
• fizz
• sizzle
• hiss
• whiz
• swoosh
• whoosh
• whish
• wheeze
• sibilant
• sibilance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flap
• flick
• whisk
• wag
• switch
• flutter
• wave
• twitch
• nod
• waggle
• shake
• swing
• whip
• rock
• wiggle
• sway
• jerk
• oscillation
• jolt
• bob
• snap
• jiggle
• waver

swish

2 of 3

verb

ˈswish 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hiss
• bubble
• whistle
• fizzle
• sizzle
• fizz
• whiz
• swoosh
• whish
• wheeze
• whoosh
• zip
• effervesce
• buzz
• hum
• drone

2

as in to flick

to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions

the horse's tail swishes after every jump

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flick
• flap
• swing
• switch
• wag
• twitch
• bob
• waggle
• sway
• flutter
• shake
• wave
• jerk
• whip
• lash
• oscillate
• rock
• flail
• wiggle
• flicker
• waver
• nod
• flop
• jolt
• jog
• beat
• jiggle
• jig
• joggle

swish

3 of 3

adjective

as in stylish

being in the latest or current fashion

a trendy boutique filled with swish accessories for the urban fashionista

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stylish
• fashionable
• happening
• chic
• elegant
• exclusive
• hip
• trendy
• fresh
• modish
• voguish
• smart
• swell
• cool
• snappy
• graceful
• supercool
• sophisticated
• in
• sharp
• haute
• handsome
• posh
• funky
• swank
• dashing
• au courant
• spiffy
• classy
• kicky
• sassy
• downtown
• rakish
• à la mode
• ritzy
• dapper
• natty
• saucy
• flossy
• edgy
• dressy
• tasteful
• flashy
• spruce
• chichi
• majestic
• understated
• stately
• soigné
• refined
• doggy
• nobby
• gallant
• foppish
• dandyish
• doggish
• ultrachic
• ultrahip
• ultracool
• dudish
• ultrasophisticated
• ultrasmart
• ultraposh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• out
• unfashionable
• outmoded
• tacky
• dowdy
• unbecoming
• uncool
• unattractive
• cheesy
• inelegant
• unstylish
• trashy
• sloppy
• unchic
• tasteless
• messy
• untidy
• unkempt
• graceless
• slovenly
• unmodish
• wrinkled
• styleless
• shabby
• rumpled
• disheveled
• frowsy
• unhandsome
• sleazy
• mussy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of swish

Noun

Their play is a symphony of cheers and swishes, conversation and laughter, dribbling balls and rattling rims. —Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026

And following every swish, the Rockets crowd broke from tradition and applauded the visiting guard. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026

Verb

The crowd was scattered and some left early on the Monday evening, but fans still created plenty of noise when the Lynx swished home 3-pointers and made strong defensive plays. —Pj Green april 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026

Fill a bowl or sink with water, add a drop of fabric softener, and swish it around. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 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