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
Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
If so, that trial will be rescheduled for sometime after Wallace switches to a different division of Denver District Court as part of a routine rotation.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Granado creates distinct voices and character traits for each character and seamlessly switches from one to the other in a mere second.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
The Asics Superblast 3, which has been announced for a March launch, switches from the FlyteFoam Turbo Plus midsole of its predecessor to FF Leap, the most advanced foam in Asics’ fleet that comes over from its Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo and Metaspeed Ray super shoes.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Sarr switches onto Booker, who eventually drives to the basket for a layup.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Chef-owner Josh Dalton regularly switches up the chef's tasting menu, cocktail and wine offerings, and even the decor with recent supper clubs inspired by his travels to Mexico, Japan, the Mediterranean and Thailand, or by concepts such as color or carnivals.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Once all the air pollution goes to zilch in half an hour, the Airmega automatically switches into eco mode.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Beyond the impressive construction, the pitcher is designed with Tupperware’s signature smart push-button lid that switches from closed to pour-ready with the touch of a finger.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
There may be icy weather in the early morning Tuesday from Washington to New York City before the forecast switches to rain for the rest of the day.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Literal and figurative pain points included ensuring each piece properly conducting electricity, rigging every square with mechanical keyboard switches to facilitate the connections, and countless unintentional jolts.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2026
Those sales were up 263% year over year, reflecting strong adoption of the company's NVLink networking technology, as well as its Spectrum-X Ethernet switches with new deals from giants like Meta.
—Katie Tarasov,ari Levy, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
The click switches are reportedly very quiet, making the device suitable for late-night work sessions or quiet libraries.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2026
Inside the five boroughs, subways continued to run on Monday, albeit with delays as crews across the system had to manually clear snow from switches and red-signal trip-stops.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
Making changes at this stage of a construction — from moving light switches to moving walls — is cheaper than doing it after workers start building.
—Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Feb. 2026
Magriñá suggests installing dimmers on all light switches so homeowners can adjust lighting at different times of day, promoting relaxation before bed and brighter light exposure during the day.
—Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
Her attention now switches to the mixed team relay on Saturday.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
If so, that trial will be rescheduled for sometime after Wallace switches to a different division of Denver District Court as part of a routine rotation.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Granado creates distinct voices and character traits for each character and seamlessly switches from one to the other in a mere second.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
The Asics Superblast 3, which has been announced for a March launch, switches from the FlyteFoam Turbo Plus midsole of its predecessor to FF Leap, the most advanced foam in Asics’ fleet that comes over from its Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo and Metaspeed Ray super shoes.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Sarr switches onto Booker, who eventually drives to the basket for a layup.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Chef-owner Josh Dalton regularly switches up the chef's tasting menu, cocktail and wine offerings, and even the decor with recent supper clubs inspired by his travels to Mexico, Japan, the Mediterranean and Thailand, or by concepts such as color or carnivals.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Once all the air pollution goes to zilch in half an hour, the Airmega automatically switches into eco mode.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Beyond the impressive construction, the pitcher is designed with Tupperware’s signature smart push-button lid that switches from closed to pour-ready with the touch of a finger.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The fan has six speeds and switches from downdraft to updraft with the remote controller.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
There may be icy weather in the early morning Tuesday from Washington to New York City before the forecast switches to rain for the rest of the day.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Literal and figurative pain points included ensuring each piece properly conducting electricity, rigging every square with mechanical keyboard switches to facilitate the connections, and countless unintentional jolts.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2026
Those sales were up 263% year over year, reflecting strong adoption of the company's NVLink networking technology, as well as its Spectrum-X Ethernet switches with new deals from giants like Meta.
—Katie Tarasov,ari Levy, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
The click switches are reportedly very quiet, making the device suitable for late-night work sessions or quiet libraries.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2026
Inside the five boroughs, subways continued to run on Monday, albeit with delays as crews across the system had to manually clear snow from switches and red-signal trip-stops.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
Making changes at this stage of a construction — from moving light switches to moving walls — is cheaper than doing it after workers start building.
—Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Feb. 2026
Magriñá suggests installing dimmers on all light switches so homeowners can adjust lighting at different times of day, promoting relaxation before bed and brighter light exposure during the day.
—Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switches
Verb
-
What ‘Beach Read’ Is About Dynevor, 30, will play January Andrews, a romance author who swaps genres with her college rival, Augustus Everett, while living in neighboring lake houses.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The Casting Dynevor will play January Andrews, a romance author who swaps genres with her college rival, Augustus Everett, while living in neighboring lake houses.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Feb. 2026
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,
4 Feb. 2026
-
New features like active aero (flaps that open on the front and rear wings) help forge a much closer relationship between the engine and the chassis around it.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Linda at one point hides from a rescue team, dreading a return to a society where the Bradleys of the world trod over the Lindas.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
-
When the government hides its jails from Congress and treats state health mandates as obstacles, the issue is no longer immigration policy.—
Dave Myers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fearing the suspect could be overdosing, Cano had administered Narcan, a nasal spray that reverses the effects of opioids.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
At the time of the crash, first responders administered Narcan on Cano, which is a nasal spray or injection that reverses opioid overdoses in minutes.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Athena whips votes; Myki doesn’t bother.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Some white parents beat their children with the same whips the apartheid police used in Black neighborhoods.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The remainder of the trailer flicks at these while carrying on with her suggestion that Erika is up to no good.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Netflix, Peacock, Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount+ and more have a plethora of fresh flicks to watch, including a bunch of theatrical releases available to watch at home.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But amid the coronation for their crosstown rival, Gottlieb was looking for anything that told her this Trojans team could take some punches and also give some back in March.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In addition, it will be designed to deliver long-range missile punches instead of engaging in dogfights.—
David Szondy
March 01,
New Atlas,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switches. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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