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
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
The interchangeable straps allow your mom to switch from polished to sporty depending on the day’s plans, which is a nice touch any stylish traveler will notice.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Yet Latino council candidates kept losing, leading to a 2013 lawsuit demanding that the city switch to district rather than citywide elections.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch
Verb
What if one material could switch between these roles depending on the weather—and even control wireless signals at the same time?
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
The interchangeable straps allow your mom to switch from polished to sporty depending on the day’s plans, which is a nice touch any stylish traveler will notice.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Noun
The switch hitter was 3-for-3 with an intentional walk and was a single shy of hitting for the cycle.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Yet Latino council candidates kept losing, leading to a 2013 lawsuit demanding that the city switch to district rather than citywide elections.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
-
But a few years ago, city workers swapped the orange sodium streetlights outside her house with cold, blue-light LEDs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Continue reading … STARS AND GRIPES — Blue-state local official says US flags are 'not great,' suggests swapping them.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The dragons stalk the island, flicking their huge tongues in hopes of picking up the scent of a deer, wild boar, or water buffalo — the latter two species introduced by humans — or rodents and other smaller reptiles, including baby Komodo dragons.—
Craig Stanford,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
-
On the rush, Keller controlled the loose puck just inside the left circle and flicked a shot off the back post into the net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Without sofas, curtains, or rugs to soften things, your color palette has nowhere to hide.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
-
Many fish live, hide and eat the small shrimp and crabs that are within the seaweed, which made her snorkeling adventure more exciting.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
EquityProtect reports that reversing a fraudulent title costs victims up to $150,000 in legal fees.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
-
One attempt to make housing more affordable had a brief impact, only for the war in Iran to reverse any relief.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Gilgeous-Alexander licked his chops at what Game 1 presented.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
But host Kristen Kish is licking her lips at the prospect of taking the show even further afield in the future.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The musical, brimming over with Broadway in-jokes and phallic humor, doesn’t build so much as whip itself into a frenzy.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
This easy-to-whip-up buttermilk cake unabashedly leans into the acidity and creaminess of whole buttermilk to flavor and build the base of the batter.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Stylish yet functional, the pants are designed with front pleats, belt loops, and side flap pockets similar to Oprah’s pair.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
Anyway, while Zack is having his flap attack, Lala, Michelle, and Janet are doing Pilates, and Janet is trying to figure out just who in the group is talking to her.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Simply apply to a cotton pad and swipe across your face as normal.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
Lawmakers this year took their first swipe in decades at changing Florida’s surrogacy laws, adopted in 1993.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
