switch 1 of 2

Definition of switchnext
1
as in to swap
to give up (something) and take something else in return switched the real grapes for fake ones switched the day of his flight from Thursday to Friday

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2
as in to flick
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions cows lazily switching their tails and chewing their cud

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3
4
as in to reverse
to change (as an opinion) to the contrary a politician who has switched his position on a number of issues

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5

switch

2 of 2

noun

1
2
as in flick
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down that telltale switch of the cat's tail meant there was a mouse under the piano

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3

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 switch
Verb
Farmers who fear not being able to optimize their corn yields may decide to plant less corn or switch crops and plant soybeans, which need less fertilizer. Aya S. Chacar, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026 The astronaut pairs are switching spots now. Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
He was sentenced to two years of felony probation for having a pistol equipped with an auto sear switch, according to court records. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026 The Glock is also easily modifiable with an aftermarket third-party device colloquially known as a Glock switch. Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • Another surgery swapped out her breast implants to erase her shoulder pain in 2022, Dishell said, but doctors warned her then that her other pain was unlikely to improve.
    Brett Kelman, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • While strawberry shortcakes are usually made with biscuits, this recipe swaps them for tender little cakes baked in muffin tins.
    Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • England needed a set piece to score when Cole Palmer’s corner was flicked on at the near post and White rolled the ball over the line.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • In overtime, Fillier received a centering pass from Maja Nylén Persson and flicked it over the glove of Maddie Rooney for her seventh goal in the last six games.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Senior Assistant County Attorney Bryan Schmid argued in court filings that Scott failed to show the law is unconstitutional and suggested that Scott could create his website and post his videos with redactions to hide the personal information in the clips.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Check and uncheck the boxes next each candidate to show/hide their responses.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His attorneys say Combs' conviction should be reversed, or he should at least be freed and resentenced to less time.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The regulations were reversed during the Biden administration.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Both have walked away from battles licking their wounds.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Five caribou stood licking at the stain.
    Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Other activities will include chalk art, children’s activities, tomato plant and tree whip giveaways, food vendors and more, according to the release.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Armed with a whip and possibly a dagger, she is also depicted chasing the leopard.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Quickly tilt the pan nearly all the way over the plate to invert and release the omelet with its flap underneath.
    Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Instead of relying on flaps, rudders, or elevators, the X-65 uses jets of air to change how airflow moves across its wings.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • For years, now, we have been forced to tap, swipe, and scan in an outdated infrastructure, built for a pre-intelligent era.
    Alex Israel, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Or worse, consequential decisions are often made not by Congress, but with the swipe of a president’s pen.
    Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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