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
Joseph Dames, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Originally supposed to fly Sierra Space Dream Chaser test flight, but payload switched to an inert mass simulator because of potential Dream Chaser delays beyond October launch date.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
The series’ first real twist is that the paranoid conspiracy Rachel imagines is in fact a bait-and-switch for what’s going on here.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch
Verb
Our next system arrives late Wednesday, bringing rain and then switching to a wet snow that could accumulate into Thursday.
—Joseph Dames, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Originally supposed to fly Sierra Space Dream Chaser test flight, but payload switched to an inert mass simulator because of potential Dream Chaser delays beyond October launch date.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
And that really was like a switch going off.
—Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
The series’ first real twist is that the paranoid conspiracy Rachel imagines is in fact a bait-and-switch for what’s going on here.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
-
The potatoes nail the candy coating crackle of the original, while sweetened mayo is swapped with an aioli made of saffron, condensed milk and citrus.—
Cesar Hernandez,
San Francisco Chronicle,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Whenever Corsight detected his face, it would be swapped for the likeness of Tom Cruise.—
Justyn Newman,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the time the docuseries was made, Mark could only flick at that possibility due to a lack of evidence.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In the video, the snake flicks its tongue, a common sensory behavior used to detect chemical cues in the air and identify nearby prey or potential predators.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Controversial school policies hiding students’ gender transitions from parents remains a ripe issue the Supreme Court should take up, activists argue, despite the justices already handing parents a win in an emergency docket case on the matter earlier this month.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But her lover, the increasingly controlling and unhinged army corporal Don José, is gradually dimished to lurking in the shadows and hiding in crowds.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An Alabama court sided with the birth centers last year, but an appeals court reversed the decision in January.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Shortly after his 19-minute speech, Asian markets reversed earlier gains from Thursday's session, as benchmarks in Australia, Japan and South Korea fell.—
Lim Hui Jie,Anniek Bao,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Five caribou stood licking at the stain.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The department shared photos of Ziggy, still wearing a bandage on his left hind leg, jumping up and licking Spring's face during a recent visit.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Armed with a whip and possibly a dagger, she is also depicted chasing the leopard.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
1 Apr. 2026
-
His tail whips against the stalks of flowers planted by the woman who recently moved there with him.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pouch—or marsupium, from which the group takes its name—is a flap of skin covering the nipples.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
An acolyte of Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel, Jenner swapped her litany of unbranded bags for a burgundy maxi flap bag from the designer’s spring 2026 debut.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara gives you longer, more curled lashes in just a few swipes.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
28 Mar. 2026
-
When Doncic reached out to push Williams’ arm, Williams responded with a backhand swipe across Doncic’s face.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
