switch 1 of 2

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
Most European hotels have now switched over to bulk-sized dispensers in order to reduce plastic waste, with many only offering shampoo, body wash, or two-in-one shower gels. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2025 One tester reported their daughter needed a bit of help learning how to attach the clothes but quickly got the hang of it and loved switching the outfits. Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
Transparency instead of testing Where the vetoed SB 1047 would have mandated safety testing and kill switches for AI systems, the new law focuses on disclosure. ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2025 Those hitters seemed to flip a switch in September. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switch
Verb
  • Photographer Marco Bahler shared snaps of Anderson on Instagram rocking a choppy mullet with bangs, her long-time blonde swapped out for copper red.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • There are multiple styles too, like those in which the handles swapped leather for shiny metals, adding a contemporary twist and masterfully pairing with the models’ midi skirts, playful outerwear clad in primary colors, and preppy tailoring.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For the Taliban, the episode possibly carries the lesson that attempting to turn back time on a population that’s grown up with the internet is much harder than just flicking a switch.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Replays suggested that Woltemade had flicked the ball in.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Target’s sale has discounts on thousands of storage furniture pieces, like this soft and roomy fleece bench with a lift-top and this cabinet that discreetly hides and deodorizes trash cans.
    Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Johnson sat in the makeup chair for two hours undergoing a transformation process that resulted in the cauliflower ears, a specific browbone piece and other prosthetics, plus hiding his tattoos.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Barna Group’s vice president of research, Daniel Copeland, said that most adults attend church around two out of every five weekends, but Gen Z is reversing the flow.
    Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Cheesecake Factory, which has had smaller, low-calorie versions of its decadent entrées on its menu since 2011, expanded its value options this summer in hopes of reversing negative traffic trends.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, the mischievous pup led his owner directly to the scene of the crime by licking his lips constantly, which seemed awfully curious.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Bear 856 is also a large, male brown bear, who is easily identifiable to park rangers due to the animal's unusual habit of licking his lips — a behavior not typically observed in brown bears.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • My focus was always trying to bring the kind of complexities of the kink world to the screen…trying to find the warmth in that community rather than be like Prince Albert, whips, chains, and gags.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Beckett’s symbols of master and slave — the whip, the rope, the servant weighed down with baggage — are either mimed or cut and in doing so lose its real horror.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Set within the magical world of Harry Potter, this interactive book features two detachable plush characters, a peek-a-boo flap, textured pages, and other sensory elements for baby’s enjoyment.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
  • And new for the season, the brand presented a family of grainy leather and lightweight suede flap bags — in small and mini styles and sizes — with the signature H fastener.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In today’s climate, every swipe of a card increasingly serves as an emotional release.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • In the video announcing his exit from the race, Adams took what could be considered a veiled swipe at the Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, an unapologetic progressive.
    Averi Harper, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switch. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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