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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Recent Examples of switching
That’s why many nail enthusiasts are switching to at-home mani-pedis — and turning it into a 2026 beauty trend.
—
Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The Aztecs had been switching the point guard-center ball screens, which put guards on 6-9 bouncy Nevada forward Elijah Price under the basket.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
If yellowing continues to frustrate you, try switching to darker colored pillowcases.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
The Bucs hope that switching up the coaching staff, adding more reinforcements through free agency and most importantly, keeping the main leader in place, could bode well for 2026.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Mills is for girls in their discovery era, experimenting with trends, switching up their look, and having fun with fashion.
—Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 7 Jan. 2026
While many renovations won’t be visible to the general public, such as switching out the ice rink base from a sand floor to a concrete floor, the Park District also worked to improve the overall atmosphere.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Dallas succeeded spectacularly after switching from Landry to Jimmy Johnson.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Shipping itself is efficient per ton-mile and still accounts for roughly 3 percent of global CO₂; switching from a very long ocean journey to a medium-range truck haul can be a wash for that reason.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The Aztecs had been switching the point guard-center ball screens, which put guards on 6-9 bouncy Nevada forward Elijah Price under the basket.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
If yellowing continues to frustrate you, try switching to darker colored pillowcases.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
The Bucs hope that switching up the coaching staff, adding more reinforcements through free agency and most importantly, keeping the main leader in place, could bode well for 2026.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Mills is for girls in their discovery era, experimenting with trends, switching up their look, and having fun with fashion.
—Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 7 Jan. 2026
While many renovations won’t be visible to the general public, such as switching out the ice rink base from a sand floor to a concrete floor, the Park District also worked to improve the overall atmosphere.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Dallas succeeded spectacularly after switching from Landry to Jimmy Johnson.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Shipping itself is efficient per ton-mile and still accounts for roughly 3 percent of global CO₂; switching from a very long ocean journey to a medium-range truck haul can be a wash for that reason.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switching
Verb
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You’d be surprised at how leveled-up your loungewear becomes under a fashionable trench coat, and how swapping your overworn, pilling sweatpants for equally comfortable track pants or satin trousers turns comfy wear into a statement.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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Not drinking entirely can seem insurmountable, so taking small steps to drink less by shifting behaviors like having fewer drinks or swapping in some mocktails is helpful.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Older supporters will remember it well and, if anyone from the younger generation wants a glimpse into those times, perhaps a good place to start is by flicking through the pages of The Complete History Of Manchester City, written by football historian Gary James and published in 1997.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The reptile reacts to being picked up by flicking its meaty tail back and forth, whacking a few of the deputies.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Gallery Wall Wood Frame Set If your resolution includes finally framing photos that have been hiding in your phone for months, this set is a must.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The leader of the country was hiding for twelve days.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That clinched the season series for the Rams, reversing a trend in which the 49ers swept the regular-season matchups from 2019-22.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Pack credited her courage in reversing the company’s past decisions.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Other photos showed Owen proudly licking the faces of his owners and getting some hugs and pats from the reality star, her husband and children.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Chocolate Brownie Batter flavor was my first try, mostly because any brand that claims something tastes like licking brownie batter off the spoon must be challenged.—
Samantha Leal,
Refinery29,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The organization and its arbitration-eligible players had faced a Thursday deadline for exchanging salary figures.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
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Video made public Friday shows the 37-year-old and her wife exchanging words with ICE officers in the seconds before the shooting.—
Annie Gowen,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The attention to detail both inside and out is notable, and even goes so far as to include an artificial breeze that keeps a US flag installation always flapping in the wind.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Dec. 2025
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But those series understood how to trace the flapping-butterfly-wing effects of such brutal actions outward, to take the violence and pain of our collective past and connect them to what this country would eventually become.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The cold weather shouldn’t be a huge factor unless the wind starts whipping.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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The wind was whipping throughout Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, that day, which had a massive impact on the kicking game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Switching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switching. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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