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
The two organizations will take turns holding the chairman position, which will switch every year. Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026 For Arbaeen, the lights inside the shrine and the flags fluttering from its golden dome are switched to red – the color of vengeance. Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
The Times reported that the president made the switch at the urging of the Secret Service and that the newer plane lacked some of the advanced security features of the older Air Force One aircraft. Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2026 The only 16mm shot of the film is of Billy (Anderson) looking directly at the camera before the film flares out and switches to the Little Death oner. Matt Minton, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • Lowes Foods’ history in Charlotte In 2014, Lowes Foods began pulling out of Charlotte, swapping stores with Harris Teeter and closing underperforming stores as part of a reinvestment strategy.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026
  • An attacker doesn’t always need physical access to swap a SIM card, either.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Within a few minutes, Hutchinson has his mobile out, happily flicking through the screensavers.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The toads had gone rogue, consuming native frogs, birds, insects, small marsupials, even Ping-Pong balls and cigarette butts flicked toward them at pubs—almost everything except the swarms of sugarcane beetles they had been imported to feed on.
    Kimon de Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Though males are wingless and females can fly short distances, that reproductive efficiency — combined with its tiny size and penchant for hiding in wood — has supercharged a rapid spread across South Africa.
    Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Bosch reminded the public to lock their vehicles and hide valuables, noting that thieves often scan for unlocked cars by looking for extended side mirrors.
    Peter D'Oench, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Quarterback race reverses The backup quarterback situation went backward.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Just past here, the rail reverses course and returns to Skagway.
    Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Later, a woman protractedly licks blue ice cream from a cone, her attempts thwarted by ferocious gusts of wind and sand.
    Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Griffin diligently washes his hands after his dogs lick them, especially before picking up a slice of pizza.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The young trees, often called whips, have high stem densities.
    Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to being a Democratic whip while serving in Congress, Jones was a member of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Mud flaps price Entry-level mud flaps are typically made of plastic or rubber and cost between $18-$35.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Additionally, every belt opening and buttonhole is individually measured, cut and finished, including the holes along the back belt and those used for the pocket flaps.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • With fewer options to switch lanes in the roundabout, there are fewer opportunities for unsafe lane changes to result in side-swipes.
    Rose Evans August 16, Idaho Statesman, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than keeping moisturizing and glow-boosting formulas confined to your bathroom shelf, the brand packages many of them in swipe-and-go formats made for skin care anywhere, anytime.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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