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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of switches
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Shot in a colorfully naturalistic style by Irina Lubtchansky (My Golden Days), the film occasionally switches to what looks like Super 8mm, capturing the action more intimately and playfully.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
Depending on how much energy the neutrino leaves behind in the ice, the system switches between two mathematical approaches.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2025
The scene flicks to a flashback of Henry at war, which then switches to Henry in his previous timeline suffering from a nightmare.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
TikTok @thanosthesaint Clearly enamored with the new game, Lavender grins up at the camera—and the video then switches to her doing the very same thing at a different time, and this time Thanos has all four legs in the air for easier access.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
If the county switches providers, Aetna would earn administrative fees from Miami-Dade worth about $15 million a year.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
In the official ChatGPT blog post, OpenAI confirmed that GPT‑5 within ChatGPT runs on a system of models coordinated by a behind-the-scenes router that switches to deeper reasoning when needed.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
The Clean Energy Alliance Board of Directors recently approved a default power supply policy that would ensure the agency has procured enough energy to meet the needs of its residential and business customers if one of the seven member cities switches its default offering.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025
Interior trims range from basic to luxurious, but all feature easy to use controls, physical switches and dials for key functions and one of the auto industry’s best touch screens and infotainment systems.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The digital world operates through bits, which function as basic switches that maintain either a 0 or a 1 value.
—Sadhasivam Mohanadas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This mostly presents itself in the form of extended exploration throughout its many stages, tasking players with finding switches to hit and alternate paths to unlock.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Check the base of the beater shaft, rims around the motor housing, ventilation openings, and control knobs and switches.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
Smart systems and automations can take the guesswork out of when to flip switches.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025
The bedrooms had intercoms on the walls by the light switches.
—Richard Siken
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
Optical switches are slightly less popular than mechanical keys, but are actually more durable and often even faster.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
Continued Tweaks Are Likely The latter problem may eventually solve itself if MLS eventually switches – as many expect – to a fall-to-spring schedule.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Shot in a colorfully naturalistic style by Irina Lubtchansky (My Golden Days), the film occasionally switches to what looks like Super 8mm, capturing the action more intimately and playfully.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
Depending on how much energy the neutrino leaves behind in the ice, the system switches between two mathematical approaches.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2025
The scene flicks to a flashback of Henry at war, which then switches to Henry in his previous timeline suffering from a nightmare.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
TikTok @thanosthesaint Clearly enamored with the new game, Lavender grins up at the camera—and the video then switches to her doing the very same thing at a different time, and this time Thanos has all four legs in the air for easier access.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
If the county switches providers, Aetna would earn administrative fees from Miami-Dade worth about $15 million a year.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
In the official ChatGPT blog post, OpenAI confirmed that GPT‑5 within ChatGPT runs on a system of models coordinated by a behind-the-scenes router that switches to deeper reasoning when needed.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
The Clean Energy Alliance Board of Directors recently approved a default power supply policy that would ensure the agency has procured enough energy to meet the needs of its residential and business customers if one of the seven member cities switches its default offering.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
The aircrafty switches are still there, underneath that screen, but are now more aircraft-like than aircraft-style, a sort of mood swing from the previous generations.
—New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025
Interior trims range from basic to luxurious, but all feature easy to use controls, physical switches and dials for key functions and one of the auto industry’s best touch screens and infotainment systems.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The digital world operates through bits, which function as basic switches that maintain either a 0 or a 1 value.
—Sadhasivam Mohanadas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This mostly presents itself in the form of extended exploration throughout its many stages, tasking players with finding switches to hit and alternate paths to unlock.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Check the base of the beater shaft, rims around the motor housing, ventilation openings, and control knobs and switches.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
Smart systems and automations can take the guesswork out of when to flip switches.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025
The bedrooms had intercoms on the walls by the light switches.
—Richard Siken
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
Optical switches are slightly less popular than mechanical keys, but are actually more durable and often even faster.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switches
Verb
-
This is an unprecedented move that effectively swaps subsidies for ownership.—
Michael Cannivet,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Future Store swaps identities without moving a brick.—
Bob Bonniol,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
To clean your garbage disposal, Lane suggests starting by cleaning the rubber flaps by using dish soap and a brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the rubber flaps that line the disposal.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Tamsin flaps her hand to fan herself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The fog may roll in, but the coastline never hides for long.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Maddie hides her binging and purging from Deena and Jake, lying about being pregnant to distract her husband from what’s really going on.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That could change if ACIP reverses Kennedy's restriction when the committee meets later this month, but that may be unlikely.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The move reverses a Biden-era decision to keep it at its temporary headquarters in Colorado, an unnamed person familiar with the announcement told The Associated Press.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The grill also sells fresh cheese curds, mozza whips, and cheese sticks.—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Keep reading for the best flicks streaming on HBO Max.—
Charlotte Walsh,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The Wu put people onto a lot of movies like John Woo’s The Killer and kung fu flicks.—
Angel Diaz,
Billboard,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Pop princess Kylie Minogue landed some punches as Cammy White in the 1994 Street Fighter film.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The one-two-three judicial punches could risk the president's plans to deport as many as 1 million people per year.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Switches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switches. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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