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
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 switching
Taking them out of the equation and switching the play past them is the right approach.
—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Bake until edges are lightly browned, 15 to 18 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
Advocacy groups advise evaluating individual circumstances, as some may benefit from switching now, while others might wait.
—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Recent polling shows that support for the coalition is at an all-time low, with many longtime voters switching allegiances to One Nation, a once fringe far-right populist party.
—
Oscar Schwartz,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
A couple of years ago, the Bridgehampton doctor considered switching landscapers.
—
Ben Kesslen,
Curbed,
29 June 2026
Their powertrains are often mechanically complex, expensive, and sometimes slow to respond when switching between different power sources.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 June 2026
Since switching to this cable organizer from Travelkin, the days of opening a jack-in-the-box of cords and charging blocks are officially over.
—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
IPods became compatible with PCs and, once shoppers were inside the Apple Store buying the iPod, PC users started switching to Macs.
—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
26 June 2026
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Bake until edges are lightly browned, 15 to 18 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
Advocacy groups advise evaluating individual circumstances, as some may benefit from switching now, while others might wait.
—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Recent polling shows that support for the coalition is at an all-time low, with many longtime voters switching allegiances to One Nation, a once fringe far-right populist party.
—
Oscar Schwartz,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
A couple of years ago, the Bridgehampton doctor considered switching landscapers.
—
Ben Kesslen,
Curbed,
29 June 2026
Their powertrains are often mechanically complex, expensive, and sometimes slow to respond when switching between different power sources.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 June 2026
Since switching to this cable organizer from Travelkin, the days of opening a jack-in-the-box of cords and charging blocks are officially over.
—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
IPods became compatible with PCs and, once shoppers were inside the Apple Store buying the iPod, PC users started switching to Macs.
—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switching
Verb
-
There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, countless blockchains, arcane fees to pay for swapping tokens, and complicated onboarding processes.
-
To solve this, the LK220E uses a battery-swapping system.
Verb
-
The soon-to-be 26-year-old left winger scored at the end of the first half on a breakaway, casually flicking the ball past Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide.
-
The Americans were less cohesive without Pulisic in the second half, but Reyna still added the finishing touch by gliding into the box and toe-flicking home his first World Cup goal.
Verb
-
The country’s singular role in hiding Jews from their Nazi occupiers is well documented.
-
The anti-Trump rage, the surge of younger, more educated progressive voters, the hunger for someone willing to fight on affordability with policy, message, and tone, in Albany and Washington — all of it was hiding in plain sight for anyone looking at the data rather than the tired, old playbook.
Verb
-
Reform day school enrollment has also risen by 5%, reversing years of declining trends.
-
More ships entered the Gulf over the weekend than departed, reversing a trend seen over the previous week, when efforts focused on evacuating seafarers stranded in the Gulf.
Verb
-
After milking, the cows would return themselves to their fresh pasture and spend the day grazing, snoozing, licking one another, and cooling off in the shade of pine trees.
-
Bring along a friend who wouldn’t be able to indulge in these kinds of finger-licking treats otherwise.
Verb
-
The Reynas and Berhalters, who grew up together and were in each other’s weddings, still might not be exchanging pleasantries or Christmas cards.
-
The video then cuts to the attacker facing off with two men who have intervened, exchanging punches with one of them before running through the store with the men in pursuit.
Verb
-
In the video, backed by champagne synths and hopscotching snares, a tuxedoed Jaeychino strolls the beach in Margiela sneakers, his jacket flapping in the wind as seafoam washes ashore.
-
Soaring birds fly without flapping wings, using rising air currents to uplift them.
Verb
-
Ospreay struck Strickland, who responded by whipping a chain at him.
-
Vargas is accused of repeatedly whipping the cab’s hood with a belt, denting it, cops said.
Cite this Entry
“Switching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switching. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
