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
Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
This actually reps the second time Rosenthal has switched platforms for his food travel series.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
Oil and gas wells don’t operate like light switches.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch
Verb
Groups usually switch out the lead skier often to avoid exhausting one person.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
This actually reps the second time Rosenthal has switched platforms for his food travel series.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
Will the Golden Knights flip some proverbial switch in mid-April?
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
Oil and gas wells don’t operate like light switches.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
-
With just five suitcases and their Shih Tzu Bubbles in tow, the family – Thorn, 43, husband Blair, 44, and their children Eva and Chase – swapped their home in New Zealand’s capital for a place in Melbourne – a third larger at the same price.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The Bruins made their first trade of the deadline day, swapping minor leaguers with the Philadelphia Flyers.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From the opening kick-off, Dewsbury-Hall had flicked the ball up and volleyed it high downfield, forcing Burnley defender Joe Worrall into an early clearance.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Carranza flicked on a header for an assist Jason Jason Moreno chipped the goalkeeper to finish the play.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Over the past year, assaults against ICE personnel have risen 8,000%, according to the DHS, and federal police have opted to hide their faces and identities while working in public.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
-
An East Price Hill man is accused of hiding in wait before fatally shooting a woman at an Avondale apartment building, according to Cincinnati police.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the Cyclones reversed course, battled back and ran away with a 75-53 victory.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The agency reversed an earlier plan to suspend the program after pressure from airlines and lawmakers concerned about further slowing airport checkpoints, although officials warned that TSA PreCheck lanes could be closed on a case-by-case basis based on staffing during the shutdown.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
12 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
-
Clyburn served as majority whip and assistant Democratic leader.—
Meg Kinnard,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Wind whips ferociously, kicking up gusts of powdery snow.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The centerpiece of this menu are prime-cut entrees ($28-$100, including two sides), such as Black Angus flap meat, ribeyes, porterhouses, tomahawks, spinalis (flavorful ribeye cap muscle), six-rib lamb rack and matambre de res (a beef cut stuffed with mozzarella and gratineed Roquefort).—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The front features one larger and one smaller flap pocket compartments, ideal for storing earbuds and lip gloss, while your larger items like a wallet, a phone, and sunglasses can also be stashed away in the main compartment.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With the swipe of a finger, a video plays.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Lashscape Lengthening, Lifting Mascara delivers 12 hours of smudge-resistant lift, length and curl in a single swipe.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
