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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hide
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
switched the stagecoach horses to control the direction they took
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
the loose rigging switched the mast during the storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in whip
a long thin or flexible tool for striking
struck the horse's hide with a leather switch, and it took off at a gallop
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in swipe
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
in frustration, he gave the mule a sharp switch on the rump, but it still wouldn't budge
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Figaszewski said larger companies in the West had more to lose if switching to electric vehicles didn’t work out.
—Claudia Ciobanu, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 13 Mar. 2026
Furthermore, each chapter picks up a month or more after the last one, requiring information to be filled in with every character switch.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch
Verb
Jackson, the current quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, was seen as a possible candidate to switch from QB to wide receiver, but the mere suggestion of that caused a stir before he was drafted.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Figaszewski said larger companies in the West had more to lose if switching to electric vehicles didn’t work out.
—Claudia Ciobanu, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
Clean high-touch spots, like TV remotes, door handles, and light switches, with a damp wipe.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 13 Mar. 2026
Furthermore, each chapter picks up a month or more after the last one, requiring information to be filled in with every character switch.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
-
If this is the case, swap it out for a shorter cord that is the correct length for the job at hand.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Their understated design translates seamlessly from day to night—pair them with sneakers and a tee for daytime exploring, then swap in a blazer and flats for dinner.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Samson Fellows shuffled in his slippers to a small space heater and flicked it on.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Andrew Mangiapane scored his first goal as a Blackhawk since being acquired in a trade from Edmonton last week, and Andre Burakovsky lifted the puck on his stick lacrosse style and flicked it into the net to tie the game at 2-2 late in the second period.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Afterward, Smith didn’t hide his frustration.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And Elijah Wood provides a cheeky, bemused-insider vibe as the Danforths’ lawyer, who’s overseeing the technicalities and generally hiding behind a lectern when contestants start exploding.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
El Concilio — the group that led the effort to rename First Street for Cesar Chavez in 1993 — voted to pursue reversing that change, asking City Council to restore the street’s original name.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
In many cases, everything gets reversed.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The dog ignored him, and licked the boy’s face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mix the cream using the wire whip attachment.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Putting on the fedora and grabbing the whip — like, Jesus, that had to feel crazy.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The glue slowly hardens, giving surgeons time to position the flap.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The solid side features side-seam pockets that are perfect for keeping your hands warm on chilly days, while the tartan side features flap pockets to keep your phone, earbuds, and other small valuables secure.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Senate Bill 134 would generally exempt sales taxes from the swipe fee calculation, a move that supporters say would help save businesses money.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
-
So games that normally rely on swipes or button presses can instead be controlled by stepping left or right, jumping or shifting body weight on the pad.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
