1
as in hissing
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
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2
as in flapping
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swishing
The Rockets have already started releasing videos of Şengün running pick-and-rolls as the ballhandler and swishing 3-pointers during the first few days of training camp.
—
William Guillory, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
William Guillory, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swishing
Verb
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Signs of conflict between groups include hissing, fighting, blocking access to resources, or excessive focus on one another—often subtle but highly stressful for the affected feline.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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My pal was in deep slumber, breathed through this kind of hissing accordion.—
Sam Lipsyte,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the clip, Lecaillier cuts, tapes and shapes her materials until a wonderfully bonkers ostrich begins to take form — complete with flapping wings and a bobbing neck made from little more than determination and a sense of humor.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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But its appeal can’t be divorced from the romance of its history, which properly began in the 19th century when English polo players began wearing oxford shirts as their preferred uniform, complete with collars that buttoned against the body to prevent their points from flapping in the wind.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Freddie Freeman won an eight-pitch tussle with Gausman by flicking a two-out double into the right-field corner.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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While a wagging dog’s tail might indicate excitement or friendliness, a flicking cat’s tail can signal irritation.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Picture objects levitating or twitching without external interference—or switching rooms.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
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Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shipping itself is efficient per ton-mile and still accounts for roughly 3 percent of global CO₂; switching from a very long ocean journey to a medium-range truck haul can be a wash for that reason.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Social Security checks under different measures Yet the data suggests that switching to a different COLA measure might not result in the substantial boost to benefits that retirees and other beneficiaries hope to see.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While images of retinas bursting with color and a dove flapping its wings on an outstretched human hand looped behind them, the two allowed the crowd to grow denser while bobbing along to their rhythms.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
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In the clip, Lecaillier cuts, tapes and shapes her materials until a wonderfully bonkers ostrich begins to take form — complete with flapping wings and a bobbing neck made from little more than determination and a sense of humor.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swishing. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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