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

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
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Dogwood Festival, a long-running annual staple at Piedmont Park, drew lighter traffic than normal this past weekend after switching from a free model to a gate fee. Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 13 Apr. 2026 After the Kid Laroi guest number switched things up a bit about a half-hour in, he was joined by those two guitarists for an approximately 20-minute acoustic set, which really got everyone relaxed (and/or antsy, in the case of those still uneasy at the resistance to oldies). Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
Google and Samsung both indicate that existing conversations transfer during the switch. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026 The switch is being led by Gen Z, one industry expert tells CNN. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • While City Lights couldn’t get the rights to the gender-swapping revival that’s been making the rounds of late, the original show is arguably still viable after almost 60 years.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • In practice, that can mean swapping out legacy controllers, updating drive technology or adjusting heating systems depending on plant configuration.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There was one possible offside from the initial cross, a second if the ball had been flicked on in the next phase, followed by doubt over whether the Coventry City striker had scored with his arm.
    Graham Scott, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Chancalay flicked a low cross from near the left post through a crowd of defenders for a one-touch finish by Yeboah into a wide-open net that gave Minnesota the lead for good in the 67th minute.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Children who give short answers, avoid eye contact, or seem overly eager to please may be hiding their true feelings.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 11 Apr. 2026
  • New York packs tons of it, and Mike Brown had no intention of hiding his hand against a potential playoff opponent.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His attorneys say Combs' conviction should be reversed, or he should at least be freed and resentenced to less time.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The regulations were reversed during the Biden administration.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Both have walked away from battles licking their wounds.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Five caribou stood licking at the stain.
    Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Other activities will include chalk art, children’s activities, tomato plant and tree whip giveaways, food vendors and more, according to the release.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Armed with a whip and possibly a dagger, she is also depicted chasing the leopard.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Quickly tilt the pan nearly all the way over the plate to invert and release the omelet with its flap underneath.
    Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Instead of relying on flaps, rudders, or elevators, the X-65 uses jets of air to change how airflow moves across its wings.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on switch

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster