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

switch

2 of 2

noun

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
This year marked the 51st edition of the longest-running major street race in North America, which started in 1975 as part of the Formula 5000 Series, switched to the CART/Champ Car World Series in 1984 and joined the IndyCar Series in 2009. Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 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, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
The ChillPill has a safety switch to prevent accidental activation while in your bag. Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026 The meltdown in Hollywood’s backyard has been a decades-long, asleep-at-the-switch governance disaster. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • Atlanta also received the right to swap second-round picks with Chicago in 2028.
    Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Rather than waiting to lose sleep, consider swapping your heavy winter comforter and insulating sheets for bedding designed to keep you cool all night.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Her tail would flick—back and forth like a metronome.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
  • His shot generated a rebound for Carlsson, who patiently waited out Tolopilo to flick a score-leveling backhand for his 29th goal of 2025-26.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Neither made any attempt to hide their contempt for the other from the media or the public.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Unlike other bands who have used a hiatus as an excuse to hide acrimony, James says the members went their separate ways with zero animosity.
    Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Once a long-suffering underling to Streep’s Priestly, her fortunes have now dramatically reversed.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Comcast has shown an appetite for M&A, and the cable and broadband sector is seeing consolidation, but the media giant for now is focused less on dealmaking than on reversing negative investor sentiment.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There’s Cassie licking a melting ice cream cone as the ice cream drips down her bare chest.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Other players use wet towels or even lick their hands and wipe the bottom of their shoes to get more grip.
    Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Richard is so gifted, whip smart, and wickedly funny.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
  • As majority whip, Barrasso is responsible for firming up Republican support, while Graham is ushering the legislation along as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Each slim design comes in two fetching contrasting colors (available in nine color combos) and has a secure magnetic closure on the flap to keep eyewear safe.
    Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Brandi is a top zip crossbody with a fold over front flap secured with a magnetic closure.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Denver Post gave Friednash, a corporate Democratic centrist mouthpiece, the opportunity to take swipes at Melat Kiros, who garnered nearly two-thirds of the caucus vote for the 1st Congressional District race.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Xi’s outreach to Cheng came along with overt swipes at Taiwan’s current government under President Lai Ching-te, who is shunned by Beijing as a dangerous ‘separatist’ for rejecting China’s claim that Taiwan is its territory.
    Janis Mackey Frayer, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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