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
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 switches
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
While the typical way to make cinnamon rolls from the tube involves simply placing each roll on a baking sheet with a few inches in between, this method switches things up, starting with a casserole dish.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Your planetary ruler, Jupiter, switches signs from Cancer to Leo on June 30th, urging you to transform your innermost philosophies.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 26 Dec. 2025
During the Show For every act like Phish that switches around the songs from night to night, there are about 50 like Lady Gaga who basically stick to one set throughout the entire course of the tour.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025
Valente then switches the plates to an unregistered plate out of Maine.
—Jay Marques, NBC news, 20 Dec. 2025
Summer Options Come summer, One&Only switches its programming to suit the season.
—Jessica Campbell-Salley, Outside, 19 Dec. 2025
The party continues, and the scene switches to a day party in the streets.
—Christine Imarenezor, VIBE.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The two-act play starts in a Greek marketplace, then switches to a college professor’s office.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
Toronto switches, sticking Sandro Mamukelashvili on Sexton.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Democratic norms are not switches that can be flipped on and off at convenience.
—Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Faulty ignition switches in the Chevy Cobalt and other vehicles led to at least 54 frontal impact crashes involving the deaths of more than a dozen people.
—Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The switches came two days after the Commanders' disappointing season ended.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
The six-chip family—combine them like Infinity Stones for an AI supercomputer—include a CPU, DPU, GPU, network accelerator, and pair of switches.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
What stands out is not just the ability to climb stairs, something already demonstrated by other quadruped robots, but the speed and fluidity with which the D5 switches between locomotion modes.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
Check the area around light switches for smudges and any other areas that are susceptible to marks or stains.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
The scene then switches to Casey sitting in front of her two daughters.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
While the typical way to make cinnamon rolls from the tube involves simply placing each roll on a baking sheet with a few inches in between, this method switches things up, starting with a casserole dish.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Your planetary ruler, Jupiter, switches signs from Cancer to Leo on June 30th, urging you to transform your innermost philosophies.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 26 Dec. 2025
During the Show For every act like Phish that switches around the songs from night to night, there are about 50 like Lady Gaga who basically stick to one set throughout the entire course of the tour.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025
Valente then switches the plates to an unregistered plate out of Maine.
—Jay Marques, NBC news, 20 Dec. 2025
Summer Options Come summer, One&Only switches its programming to suit the season.
—Jessica Campbell-Salley, Outside, 19 Dec. 2025
The party continues, and the scene switches to a day party in the streets.
—Christine Imarenezor, VIBE.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The two-act play starts in a Greek marketplace, then switches to a college professor’s office.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
Future treatments could go beyond simply blocking inflammation and instead tackle the root molecular switches that make the liver more vulnerable.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
Toronto switches, sticking Sandro Mamukelashvili on Sexton.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Democratic norms are not switches that can be flipped on and off at convenience.
—Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Faulty ignition switches in the Chevy Cobalt and other vehicles led to at least 54 frontal impact crashes involving the deaths of more than a dozen people.
—Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The switches came two days after the Commanders' disappointing season ended.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
The six-chip family—combine them like Infinity Stones for an AI supercomputer—include a CPU, DPU, GPU, network accelerator, and pair of switches.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
What stands out is not just the ability to climb stairs, something already demonstrated by other quadruped robots, but the speed and fluidity with which the D5 switches between locomotion modes.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
Check the area around light switches for smudges and any other areas that are susceptible to marks or stains.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switches
Verb
-
The experience swaps out trolley service and silver-domed plates for multicourse meals at an expansive dining table or intimate dinners on the terrace, with a backdrop of the city skyline.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The design swaps the traditional white smile line for arcs of gold, silver, and even rich, luxe-looking jewel tones that shimmer with every wave and gesture.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
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
-
In fact, Ross typically hides from no one, usually strolling through the locker room to make his exit.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In season 5, episode 2, Karen hides in the tub with her daughter, Holly, while holding her breath to hide from a demogorgon—this scene truly depicts a mother’s unconditional love.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
It’s made of 100-percent Belgian flax linen and reverses to a blend of linen and Oeko-Tex Certified cotton.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
17 Jan. 2026
-
The new policy abruptly reverses that trajectory by restoring and extending a freeze that critics say was supposed to be temporary and tied to the COVID crisis, not a permanent fixture of higher-education finance.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Weir picked up his first guitar licks from David Nelson and future Jefferson Airplane member Jorma Kaukonen.—
Richard Gehr,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Everybody licks the big pink flesh wall.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Sticks, staff, swords, sabers, whips or scepters including extendable items.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Prayer mats lie next to heavy artillery; smoke billows from parked whips; backstabbers get cut first.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Little bursts of dub delay flare without warning, kicking up dust devils; every now and then, the telltale sweep of the pitch-bend wheel flicks upward like a fast-rising tide and then, after a minute or two, falls back into place.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Throughout her 27-year career starring in billion-dollar franchises and indie flicks, Saldaña has made her mark on Hollywood despite the challenges.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Punch Makes a Comeback Exotic and nostalgic punches are taking center stage in home entertaining, offering both visual appeal and easy service.—
Colleen Sullivan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The humanoid performs spins, punches, one-legged stances, rapid kicks, and low sweeps, then transitions into aerobatic sequences.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Switches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switches. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
