switch 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
After a long and complicated legal battle, St. Francisville ultimately agreed that the town had violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and switched to alderperson elections with multiple districts. Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025 Hunter first switched back and forth during a scrimmage Saturday night at EverBank Stadium, playing 17 snaps with the first-team offense and 21 with the first-team defense. Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
City have brought in some money — Kyle Walker has moved to Burnley for a fee that could reach £5million ($6.6m), Maximo Perrone’s switch to Como is worth €15million (£13m; $17m) and €24m has arrived after Yan Couto’s loan deal at Borussia Dortmund was made permanent. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025 The Swede’s agent also waived his commission to help the switch, while he is set to sign a five-year contract. David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • The usual solutions to the issue are either picking up a pair of reading glasses, or swapping your daily lenses or contact lenses for bifocals.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Stefanski recommends swapping plain Greek yogurt for mayonnaise or sour cream in dips.
    Laura Schober, Health, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As onlookers cheered her on, the musician held a stack of bills and flicked them all over the ground around the bride and groom, who danced and laughed in excitement.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Midfielder Courtney Brown received the ball on the left wing and swung in a bending cross, which playmaker Croix Bethune deftly flicked on towards the back post.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Extraterrestrial Easter Eggs and Fun Facts – Uncover the references and characters from some of your favorite Pixar films hidden throughout Elio, along with other fun facts.
    John Archer, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • From a sniping position, Hughes fired a fatal shot and then walked back to his truck hidden in a nearby field, investigators said.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Trump had previously reversed an effort to afford legal protection to agricultural workers.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The replay official reversed the call, though, to an incomplete pass and Green Bay escaped.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In it, the dog licked its butt, then licked Paul’s lips.
    Simon Bland, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
  • If pets or livestock have contact with the water, clean the animal with clean water right away and keep them from licking their body, the department advises.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The grill also sells fresh cheese curds, mozza whips, and cheese sticks.
    Sofia Joseph, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Allie-Brennan, who grew up in Bethel, serves as chief majority whip and previously served as deputy majority leader, assistant majority whip, and assistant majority leader.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Folio: These popular cases have a professional look and offer a moderate amount of protection using a front cover flap.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
  • With more than 4,000 purchased in the last month, these popular luggage tags are made with flaps at the front that cover personal information like your phone number, address, and name.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Over the last year, the feud between Silicon Valley heavyweights Sam Altman and Elon Musk has devolved into personal attacks, social media swipes, and lawsuits.
    John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • See how the device detects thumb swipes, finger taps, and handwriting gestures.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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