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
Researchers writing in Harvard Business Review found that employees switch between applications roughly 1,200 times per day, consuming nearly 9% of the workweek in reorientation and context switching alone. — Bryan Goode, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026 The debut Lume Traveler ultimately branched out into an entire family of trailers that all have a penchant for switching names. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
Ditch The Cutover Date For Co-Piloting Treat the handover like a complex corporate merger, not a light switch. — Thanh Pham, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 How a blood pressure wearable actually works Not every device on your wrist does the same thing, and for anyone weighing a switch from an arm cuff, the distinctions are critical. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • The real winners after electrification were not the ones that just swapped steam engines for electric motors.
    — Sumeet Salwan, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In particular, the standard amino acid tryptophan was swapped for a synthetic counterpart called azatryptophan.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • On the touchdown to wide receiver Xavier Worthy, the quarterback read the defense well and knew the play-fake would work — casually flicking the ball to a wide-open Worthy and turning his back before Worthy had it in his grasp.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Reus played a free kick from near the left end line to the near post, where Klauss flicked in a header in the 76th minute.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • To her, there was nothing about the real Beck that seemed necessary to hide.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Angelenos also should ensure the lids of their trash bins are closed and block any places around their homes where fleas can enter or hide.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In June, the Senate approved a war powers resolution after four GOP senators joined Democrats, but Republicans abruptly reversed course the next day after Trump berated them during a private lunch over the outcome.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The tragedy has shaken students across campus Across campus, vending machines that offer free Narcan – an over-the-counter nasal spray version of naloxone used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose – have been emptied, WMC reported.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In the post, Wouter was pictured wearing a dog cone, which is used to prevent pets from licking, chewing or scratching surgical sites or wounds.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Baldwin’s post featured a video of the dog licking a cherry ice pop and looking at the rain.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Gray, 48, is currently a member of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees and is the whip of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate and conservative Democrats.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Kyl rose to a leadership position during his last full term in the Senate, when his Republican colleagues selected him as minority whip.
    — JACQUES BILLEAUD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The relaunch last year saw the revival of the King Avanti made in premium navy blue leather, with the Jil Sander logo in golden foil and the tongue flap with the Puma logo on top and the Jil Sander logo on the inside.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The flap with a local news organization ended, allowing fans to move on to the next point of outrage.
    — Mac Engel September 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The display glasses didn’t always respond to thumb swipes and sometimes lagged after voice commands.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • So nothing changed yesterday just from the swipe of a magic pen, despite what politicians might say on Instagram and TV.
    — Kyle Cheromcha, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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