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
Ahead of the 2024 season, Corbett had two knee injuries in back-to-back years and was switching positions from right guard to center.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
The previous recall was issued due to a shifter cable that detached from the transmission, effectively preventing some vehicles from switching gears and allowing the vehicles to roll away.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
In 2024, he was drafted to the Washington Commanders after switching positions to receiver from quarterback.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
The sea shone in the heat, switching color abruptly from a light teal to a deeper aquamarine.
—Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
That includes repairing the lines or even shutting down sections of gas pipelines and switching homes to electric appliances and heaters.
—NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
That can entail switching between original Medicare to the privatized Medicare Advantage options or adding on Medicare Part D for prescription drugs.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Thiaw, aged 24 and capped three times by Germany, is comfortable on the ball, can play in a high line and is good at switching play.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Our brains do not do a good job of switching that quickly.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
The previous recall was issued due to a shifter cable that detached from the transmission, effectively preventing some vehicles from switching gears and allowing the vehicles to roll away.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
In 2024, he was drafted to the Washington Commanders after switching positions to receiver from quarterback.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
The sea shone in the heat, switching color abruptly from a light teal to a deeper aquamarine.
—Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
That includes repairing the lines or even shutting down sections of gas pipelines and switching homes to electric appliances and heaters.
—NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
That can entail switching between original Medicare to the privatized Medicare Advantage options or adding on Medicare Part D for prescription drugs.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Thiaw, aged 24 and capped three times by Germany, is comfortable on the ball, can play in a high line and is good at switching play.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Our brains do not do a good job of switching that quickly.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switching
Verb
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Before departing the firefighter education center, Kate switched up her outfit, swapping the long jacket for a shorter coat that revealed a brown skirt.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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Marcus Johansson will join the second line as the left winger, swapping spots with Marcus Foligno.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While a wagging dog’s tail might indicate excitement or friendliness, a flicking cat’s tail can signal irritation.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Only the paintings bore witness to her intense, solitary writing sessions, conducted in the studio by night, Stein flicking the pages of her notebooks with hardly a pause, until dawn birdsong disturbed her concentration.—
Francesca Wade,
Air Mail,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In December 1978, Gacy confessed to kidnapping, raping and murdering dozens of boys and men, some as young as 14 years old, and hiding many of their bodies in a crawl space under the house.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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Unlike a killer hiding in the woods, a guy who gets you in your dreams is literally impossible to hide from, and watching our plucky heroine Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) trying to resist sleep presents a new kind of awful torture.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The car can be seen reversing in circles in the near-empty parking lot — the driver’s side door still swinging open.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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Views on the economy grew more negative, with 27% saying the economy is good or excellent and 72% describing it as just fair or poor, reversing an improvement in the second quarter after the president dialed back his most extreme tariff threats.—
Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The sugars in the glaze coat the chicken and carrots to create a finger-licking delicious dinner.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
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And the Trojans’ defense that came in licking its wounds after allowing 502 yards in a last-gasp loss at Illinois two weeks ago?—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After exchanging words, Branch slapped Smith-Schuster across the helmet.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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Lights, fireworks, feasting, exchanging sweets and gifts, new clothing and prayer are often part of the festivities, as are rangoli, geometric floral patterns drawn on the floor with colorful powders.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But its appeal can’t be divorced from the romance of its history, which properly began in the 19th century when English polo players began wearing oxford shirts as their preferred uniform, complete with collars that buttoned against the body to prevent their points from flapping in the wind.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
6 Oct. 2025
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Above it all, flapping in the wind, there’s the stars and stripes, that latecomer flag to native nations.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sarah Jessica Parker and Amy Sedaris were sitting front row, with Parker whipping out her phone to film Reese.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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While summer may be over, nothing is stopping you from whipping this thing out for the holiday season.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Switching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switching. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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