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
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
If Democrats picked up the four seats for a 51-seat majority, that could potentially put Fetterman in an influential position, reducing the incentive to switch parties. — ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026 The scene switches to a beautiful cliffside mansion overlooking the ocean. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
Other key elements include roll-in showers with grab bars and handheld shower wands; raised toilet seats with grab bars; lowered light switches, thermostats, and mirrors; and wheelchair-accessible bathroom sinks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 That was clear as the Bulls bled from the point of attack, allowing blow-by drives and suffering on switches as a result. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • Layer a blazer over a bike short, swap sneakers for loafers, and the shift from Pilates to a corner table happens without a second thought.
    — Zoë Mackay, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Since optical switches aren’t subject to the same amount of degradation as traditional mechanical switches, the representative argued, users won’t need to swap them over time.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Coming for a variety of longtime critics of the merger, opposition rose and suspicion about the settlement served to pour gasoline on an already flicking fire.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Paul Marie flicked a ball off the outside of his foot to Judd, who scored on a volley from the edge of the 6-yard box to give the Earthquakes a 3-0 lead in the 29th.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Rhys-Davies is the archangel Raphael, who hides the star’s light inside her heart, and Boneta is Joshua, a stranger with a difficult history who goes on the run with her.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Measure your numbers, work with a clinician and stop treating hormone health as something to hide.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • More than a decade later, Linda’s Head largely reverses that strategy.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • During El Niño, low-level surface winds blowing from east to west across the Pacific are weakened or sometimes reversed.
    — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Carter is licking his wounds after the rest of the tribe sent Ana home in a blindside.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Typically, only a low-value male resorts to this behavior, turning to foot-licking as the easiest way to ingratiate himself with women.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Flanagan’s customary whip pans are here to surprise us with characters lurking outside the frame, but this isn’t a story with many external supernatural threats, and tension doesn’t build.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • At snif, shop the fall fragrance collection featuring the Pumpkin Smash candle, body whip and body wash, with notes of pumpkin spice, cinnamon stick, whiskey, brûléed orange, salted maple and roasted chocolate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Other items played on the idea of layers, already built into them, like a skirt that looked like an apron wrapped over a shorter look, or a shirt with long shoulder flaps.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The show opened with a model in a sheer set with lingerie details, an unseemingly sexy look for Chanel, carrying Gabrielle’s own Chanel flap bag, which is preserved in the Chanel Patrimoine, the archival and heritage department of the house.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Apply a bit of her brand’s Concealer Pen to the lips, swipe on the lipstick, then clean up the edges with a brush.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The exact lipstick your friend swipes on will not necessarily land the same way on you.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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