1
as in swapping
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 flicking
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 hiding
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 reversing
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 licking
to strike repeatedly
the loose rigging switched the mast during the storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of switching
During the season, coach Bort Escoto changed his team’s offense, switching to run-and-gun style put in by Paul Westhead years ago at Loyola Marymount and now the Spartans are in the Division V regional final.
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
While Indiana has spent some time without switching clocks, Hoosiers currently turn their clocks forward an hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 8 Mar. 2026
The auto-timer requires five taps of the timer button; switching units of measurement requires six.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Mar. 2026
Miller also pointed to Miami switching things up, but knows that can’t be an excuse.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2026
Beyond that, these 11-oz (310-g) headphones offer more controls in a companion mobile app, and dual-device connectivity for tuning into your phone and laptop without manually switching between them.
—New Atlas, 7 Mar. 2026
Once Ida is revived, Buckley is rife with tics and guttural asides, switching between rat-a-tat mobster slang and Shelley’s flowery English prose like some postmodern literary Gollum.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Even high-income consumers are paying close attention to prices — primarily by shopping sales, comparing prices, and switching to private labels.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
The Cowboys have several holes on a defense that’s switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 alignment.
—Calvin Watkins
mar. 1, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
While Indiana has spent some time without switching clocks, Hoosiers currently turn their clocks forward an hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 8 Mar. 2026
The auto-timer requires five taps of the timer button; switching units of measurement requires six.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Mar. 2026
Miller also pointed to Miami switching things up, but knows that can’t be an excuse.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2026
Beyond that, these 11-oz (310-g) headphones offer more controls in a companion mobile app, and dual-device connectivity for tuning into your phone and laptop without manually switching between them.
—New Atlas, 7 Mar. 2026
Once Ida is revived, Buckley is rife with tics and guttural asides, switching between rat-a-tat mobster slang and Shelley’s flowery English prose like some postmodern literary Gollum.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Even high-income consumers are paying close attention to prices — primarily by shopping sales, comparing prices, and switching to private labels.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
The Cowboys have several holes on a defense that’s switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 alignment.
—Calvin Watkins
mar. 1, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switching
Verb
-
But the possibility of Texas swapping seeds with South Carolina now exists.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks each made a flurry of moves in the hours leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, swapping some veteran players for draft picks while bringing in new faces.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maza drew in Hamburg players before flicking the ball on for Kofane, who lashed it into the top-left corner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The name Dekopin in Japanese refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Living together made hiding harder.—
Jennifer Wolfgram,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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In the first episode, this group, which also includes Belle Skinner (Arielle Kebbel), Andrea Cruz (Ash Santos) and Miles Kittle (Tatanka Means), is searching for some bad guys hiding in the depths of the ranch.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The police truck idled for a moment before reversing down the street, drawing a round of applause from the crowd that had formed on the block.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Henry Nicholls | Afp | Getty Images European stock markets traded lower on Friday, reversing their positive start to the session, as oil prices resumed their rally with investors monitoring the ongoing war in the Middle East.—
Hugh Leask,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
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On April 30, 2025, the dog was reportedly licking its tail and lethargic.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Birds chirped and neighbors emerged from hibernation, exchanging greetings after months indoors.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
After exchanging words during and after Game 2 of their first-round series, Brooks hit James with a low blow, which prompted an ejection.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yes, literally like a bird flapping its wings.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Large, thoughtful pockets stay accessible without flapping, and adjusters at the waist and cuffs help keep comfortability, even at mid-hike.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Taylor also weighed in on keeping her cool on stage when things go wrong, such as embracing her wig flying off and whipping it around her head, the proper form for double-dutching and having patience in Hollywood.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
26 Feb. 2026
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Though both storms are similar — with a major storm system lingering over the region for over a day and whipping the region with merciless hurricane-level winds, driving inch after inch of wet snow — what made the 1978 storm so devastating was the apparent suddenness of its arrival.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switching. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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