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
His contract runs through December 2027, with club options through June 2028 and the 2028-29 season (after MLS switches to winter calendar rather than summer). Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026 While the big brands have switched over to licensed shops or a concession model with Saks Global, smaller designers don’t have that protection. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Democratic norms are not switches that can be flipped on and off at convenience. Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026 But nothing could have prepared us for her full-speed-ahead switch to the dark side of the hair-color spectrum. Marci Robin, Allure, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • Take a cue from Nicole Kidman and swap bulky trainers for a sleeker option that styles effortlessly from the plane to wherever the day takes you.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
  • There’s a cost to swapping out curriculum that produced Fulbright scholars for beach volleyball scholarships, and The Times missed it.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The suspect poured gasoline on the girls as well as both officers, flicked a lighter and set the room ablaze.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
  • This means that every once in a while, if the wind gusts just right (or wrong), your breath may still get flicked up onto your glasses.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.
    Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • On the very next play, after officials reversed their initial ruling of a touchdown, the Bills went back to the well as Allen was pushed into the end zone without much of a Jaguars threat.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Andrea's conviction was reversed, and the case was retried in 2006.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Weir picked up his first guitar licks from David Nelson and future Jefferson Airplane member Jorma Kaukonen.
    Richard Gehr, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Other photos showed Owen proudly licking the faces of his owners and getting some hugs and pats from the reality star, her husband and children.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Reservations cost $95 for a two-hour visit, which includes a shot, two drinks, Dole whip and immersive character interactions.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Garcia has represented Illinois’s 4th Congressional District since 2019 and serves as deputy whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Even a single flap pet door can let air in and raise your energy bill by 20 percent, says Wortsmith.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Various zippered pockets inside the front flap are great for stashing smaller essentials, and a front pocket can fit a 13-inch laptop.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Wipe in circular motions with a lint-free microfiber cloth to loosen grime, then finish with long, horizontal swipes.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The blue swipe cupping each tip adds the perfect finishing touch.
    Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 6 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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