1
as in swaps
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 flaps
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 hides
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 reverses
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 licks
to strike repeatedly
the loose rigging switched the mast during the storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in whips
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 flicks
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 punches
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
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Recent Examples of switches
Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
If a team switches frequently in and out of tempo plays, scouts can bring that back to coaches, who will install similar periods in practice.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
When the surface bite slows, Zaremba switches to bucktail jigs and Rat-L-Traps, which can be worked deeper.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
There, the music switches to distant, classical pomp and the actor takes a seat at a tidy press junket-style set.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Ciays 42-Inch Gas Fire Pit Table This option has a removable lid that instantly switches it from a modern outdoor table to an upscale fire pit for gathering.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Though the kitchen switches up the presentation seasonally, on my visit, these tender little pillows floated in a delicate tomatoey broth alongside chunks of local Louisiana crab.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
By replacing silicon with a magnetic semiconductor, the team created a device that not only switches current but can also store information.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
After reading some of the nonsensical speech, Jordan switches to the female form and goes off-script to reveal that Andre’s dead.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Cheaper options or knock-offs tend to come with flimsy sockets, buzzing ballasts, or unreliable switches, which can make rooms look cheap or dated far sooner than expected and even create fire hazards.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Spray it on doorknobs and handles, stovetops, countertops, refrigerator shelves, and light switches.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
Contactors are high-voltage switches that connect the battery pack to the rest of the vehicle's system.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
On defense, the switches happened seamlessly and relentlessly, with Green acting as the board operator.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
One of Puth’s greatest talents is constructing songs that sound simple but are powered by dynamic chord switches and deceptively complicated harmonies.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
The law comes after years of criticism and litigation aimed at Glock for continuing to manufacture guns compatible with the switches.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Glock switches, also known as auto sears or selector switches, can be ordered online or made at home with a 3D printer.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Her connection to Grace shows the universality of issues among women, and switches the often fraught relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law on its head.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
If a team switches frequently in and out of tempo plays, scouts can bring that back to coaches, who will install similar periods in practice.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
When the surface bite slows, Zaremba switches to bucktail jigs and Rat-L-Traps, which can be worked deeper.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
There, the music switches to distant, classical pomp and the actor takes a seat at a tidy press junket-style set.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Ciays 42-Inch Gas Fire Pit Table This option has a removable lid that instantly switches it from a modern outdoor table to an upscale fire pit for gathering.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Though the kitchen switches up the presentation seasonally, on my visit, these tender little pillows floated in a delicate tomatoey broth alongside chunks of local Louisiana crab.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
By replacing silicon with a magnetic semiconductor, the team created a device that not only switches current but can also store information.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
After reading some of the nonsensical speech, Jordan switches to the female form and goes off-script to reveal that Andre’s dead.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Although the video began in black-and-white, when Alaina and Moeller pull the poppers, the video switches to color and reveals that the backdrop behind them features pink and blue flowers.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Cheaper options or knock-offs tend to come with flimsy sockets, buzzing ballasts, or unreliable switches, which can make rooms look cheap or dated far sooner than expected and even create fire hazards.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Spray it on doorknobs and handles, stovetops, countertops, refrigerator shelves, and light switches.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
Contactors are high-voltage switches that connect the battery pack to the rest of the vehicle's system.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
On defense, the switches happened seamlessly and relentlessly, with Green acting as the board operator.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
One of Puth’s greatest talents is constructing songs that sound simple but are powered by dynamic chord switches and deceptively complicated harmonies.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
The law comes after years of criticism and litigation aimed at Glock for continuing to manufacture guns compatible with the switches.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Glock switches, also known as auto sears or selector switches, can be ordered online or made at home with a 3D printer.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switches
Verb
-
Yankee Candle Home Sweet Home Large Jar Candle Right around the first week of November every year, my mom swaps her light, clean scents for Yankee Candle's Home Sweet Home, which is one of her favorites.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Walmart has three other 1-click holiday meal baskets including a Balanced Thanksgiving higher-protein meal that swaps some items from the standard meal deal, a Gluten-free Thanksgiving meal, and a Prime Rib meal basket.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the canonical metaphorical example, a butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, and the cascading sequence of atmospheric perturbations leads to a tornado in Texas.—
Dan Garisto,
Scientific American,
22 Oct. 2025
-
That goes for Jimmy Kimmel and for anybody who flaps their gums for a living.—
Jesse Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Incarceration often hides in plain sight.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The scene from Badlands hangs over the songwriting like a dark cloud; Spacek’s bedroom in the scene looks quite a bit like the bedroom in which the young Springsteen hides from his own angry father.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Interior Department announcement reverses moves by former President Joe Biden's administration to restrict drilling there.—
Nichola Groom,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
-
This measurement, Gilberton says, reverses the conventional belief that East Crestone is the sub-summit of Crestone Peak.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
When asked the question, the owl takes the lollipop and licks it three times before chomping down on its hard shell exterior and handing the stick back to the child.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
WASP-39b is about the size of Saturn and whips around its sunlike star once every four days; that broiling orbit heats the planet’s dayside to 1,430 degrees Fahrenheit (776 degrees Celsius).—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Scientific American,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But Siepierski also concluded that the mansion probably was a brothel, based on what the neighbors said and the volume of racy lingerie, high heels, leather, whips and correspondence.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In September 2025, Lupe shared another photo on Instagram of the two kissing outside of her husband's art show, as well as some flicks of the gallery itself.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
But horror flicks since 2001 have been revolutionary in their own way, using technology and modern issues to examine the darker sides of humanity.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Despite its 2-5 record, Cleveland can throw some punches through one of the fiercest defensive lines in football.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Leo pulls no punches as Lizzo matches her intensity in a whisper.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Switches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switches. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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