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
Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
After the field is narrowed down to the top 16 vote-getters, the competition switches into the format used in the NCAA basketball tournaments.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
When carb intake is low, your body switches to ketones as an alternate energy source.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Instead, the software just switches you to the Develop interface.
—Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
The driver switches the radio silent, the world glowing around them.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Hold onto your truest self; by early to mid-April, life switches it up again and starts bringing in more abundance of good things.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
From there, the conversation switches to the baseball diamond, where Miami is 10-2 entering conference play.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
First seen at a night-club table of menacing lowlifes, Ida, whose mother tongue is Brooklynese, suddenly switches to a heavy British accent and dispenses a torrent of highly literary sarcasms.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
The check in and check out were seamless, and Sariel showed me the room which was refreshingly intuitive (no searching for light switches or outlets).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Clean high-touch spots, like TV remotes, door handles, and light switches, with a damp wipe.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 13 Mar. 2026
Then there were the simple part switches that hair artists Duffy sent out at Saint Laurent and Anthony Turner slicked down at Hermès and Acne Studios.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
Upgrade Your Hardware Speaking of hardware—replacing your builder-grade door handles, cabinet knobs, light switches, vent covers, and even door hinges can instantly upgrade a space.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
Hartford police seized 51 Glock switches between 2023 and 2024 as the trend spread and the devices were found across the state.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Barcelona have conceded 14 goals in eight Champions League games, with teams pulling their high line apart with decoy offside runs and switches of play.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
On the inside, dials, switches, the steering wheel, handbrake and gear knob are also inspired by the HWM-Alta.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Over WhatsApp and at their regular gatherings, the group seamlessly switches back and forth between Mandarin and English while seeking to stick to Mandarin as much as possible.
—Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
After the field is narrowed down to the top 16 vote-getters, the competition switches into the format used in the NCAA basketball tournaments.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
When carb intake is low, your body switches to ketones as an alternate energy source.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Instead, the software just switches you to the Develop interface.
—Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
The driver switches the radio silent, the world glowing around them.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Hold onto your truest self; by early to mid-April, life switches it up again and starts bringing in more abundance of good things.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
From there, the conversation switches to the baseball diamond, where Miami is 10-2 entering conference play.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
First seen at a night-club table of menacing lowlifes, Ida, whose mother tongue is Brooklynese, suddenly switches to a heavy British accent and dispenses a torrent of highly literary sarcasms.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Cybertruck owner’s manual entry for opening a front door with no power says the manual door release in front of the window switches needs to be pulled up, and the door pushed open.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
The check in and check out were seamless, and Sariel showed me the room which was refreshingly intuitive (no searching for light switches or outlets).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Clean high-touch spots, like TV remotes, door handles, and light switches, with a damp wipe.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 13 Mar. 2026
Then there were the simple part switches that hair artists Duffy sent out at Saint Laurent and Anthony Turner slicked down at Hermès and Acne Studios.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
Upgrade Your Hardware Speaking of hardware—replacing your builder-grade door handles, cabinet knobs, light switches, vent covers, and even door hinges can instantly upgrade a space.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
Hartford police seized 51 Glock switches between 2023 and 2024 as the trend spread and the devices were found across the state.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Barcelona have conceded 14 goals in eight Champions League games, with teams pulling their high line apart with decoy offside runs and switches of play.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
On the inside, dials, switches, the steering wheel, handbrake and gear knob are also inspired by the HWM-Alta.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switches
Verb
-
Louisianians know the pleasure of a cushaw, which swaps perfectly with pumpkin.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Sweet Caroline swaps the typical dinner-and-drinks routine for something way more interactive.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 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
-
Even that comparison hides a lot of pain headed for retirees under current law, Smetters said.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
This information is conveyed by a hilariously avant-garde Poulter, playing the store’s manager, who dyes his hair to match each monochromatic scheme and hides his nefariousness behind a company policy that requires techno music to be played at maximum volume at all times.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Deputies gave him several doses of Narcan, a medicine that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses, and began CPR, the sheriff’s office said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Additionally, Murphy’s ruling temporarily reverses all the decisions made by panelists who had been appointed to ACIP by Kennedy.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
16 Mar. 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
-
As the wind whips, many tents blow over and collapse.—
Storey Wertheimer,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Wind whips ferociously, kicking up gusts of powdery snow.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The San Fernando Valley native is a brilliant director who has made sprawling, messy epics about imperfect people synonymous with his name, like John Ford with Westerns or A24 with art house flicks.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Jack Smith is a director who’s spent his career churning out microbudget horror flicks on his own rural property, using his own family as cast and crew.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Five minutes later, Ottawa's Ridly Greig and Brayden Schenn also exchanged punches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
At under $500, this tablet punches way above its weight!—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switches. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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