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
New York City and Boston canceled public school classes for Monday, and Philadelphia switched to online learning. Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026 New York City and Boston canceled public school classes for Monday, while Philadelphia switched to online learning. Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
Since then, a number of factors — a switch to other development models in search of more efficiency, COVID, and aftereffects of the 2023 strikes among them — combined to push the number of network pilots down each year to a low of just five in 2024. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026 That includes verifying proper grounding, checking GFCI/AFCI protection in wet areas, testing outlets and switches, and examining visible wiring for damage. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • Millie swapped of-the-era straight-leg jeans for cord-denim pants with a more of-the-now barrel shape.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Inspired by her graphic use of embellishment and appliqués, Smith began beading, swapping his signature painterly fabric daubs with vintage glass bead embroidery.
    Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Bedard had a wide-open net and flicked in just the second power-play goal of his career.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that.
    Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • However, Archaeology News continues that earlier reports also identified a wooden stool and a cattle hide that did not survive, in fact.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Many shoppers assume the shine hides spoilage or adds chemicals.
    Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Ige said Chicago has been working hard to reverse that trend, reiterating messages to the community that patients’ personal health information will not be shared.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Even worse, that money was supposed to go toward preventing and reversing drug overdoses amid an ongoing opioid epidemic.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Though his injuries were severe, the sailors watched in wonder as the cat determinedly licked his wounds, then got back to work destroying the rats threatening the ship’s food stores.
    Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Spit Heathcliff spends a lot of time straight-up licking Cathy’s face in this movie.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Whether that translates to another crack at the Premier League whip, however, remains to be seen.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Cornyn, first elected in 2002, is a longtime incumbent and former Texas attorney general who also served as Senate Republican whip.
    Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Carr pointed to the fact that Talarico’s campaign got a burst of attention from the Colbert flap, which translated to more than $2 million in donations to his campaign.
    William Earl, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Durags typically have flaps that drape down the neck, although sometimes, people tuck them in.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • When cleaning, use a damp cloth for the first swipe, then go over it with a dry microfiber cloth to dry and buff the surface.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
  • During two recent wintry swipes in North Georgia, drivers largely abided by the directive to keep off the roads.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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