Thesaurus results for SWISHES

swishes 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swishes next

plural of swish

as in whistles

a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the steady swish of the windshield wipers

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as in flaps

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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swishes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of swish

as in hisses

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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as in flicks

to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions the horse's tail swishes after every jump

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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 swishes

Noun

Now there’s a new celebrity in Greenfield, a purveyor of swishes instead of verses. —

Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026 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 Drain out the dirty water, then refill with clean, lukewarm water and give the scarf a few more swishes. —

Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swishes

Noun

While other animals such as rats and mice are also known to have laryngeal whistles, the study says that horses are believed to be the only animals known to combine the whistle with vocal fold vibrations to create a single, dual sound call.

— Kate Perez, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Mrtka was actively involved between the whistles and after the whistle, using his size to clear the net and get under opponents’ skin.

— Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025