as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the impatient toddler got a swat on his wrist for stepping into the street by himself
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
didn't sleep a wink all night because she was too busy swatting mosquitoes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swat
Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
In the case of the viral video, however, the owner's context that the dogs get along well suggests that this swat was likely a boundary-testing nudge.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Long regarded as the league’s premier backcourt shot-blocker, White has swatted aside 289 shots over the last four seasons, 57 more than second-place Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and more than 100 more than any other guard.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swat
Noun
In a demonstration to military clients, Julian uses bright scarlet lasers to render Ares and an intimidating swat truck in his private hangar.
—Verb
Remove Cobwebs on the Ceiling If your friendly neighborhood spiders have been building webs in the corners of your house, grab the Swiffer to swat them away without needing to haul out the step ladder.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for swat
Noun
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Edmundson, who had a goal disallowed earlier, found a loose puck and cranked a slap shot.—
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The friendship developed during rehearsals, and then a confrontation in the film between their characters culminated in a slap.—
Verb
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Diaz obliged, but not before smacking an unlucky onlooker with a wayward first attempt, above.—
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Often, though, the clutter is the point, and you’re smacked with temperamental textures that channel the flippant streak of plunderphonics.—
Noun
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Twitchy enough to line up off the edge or run with a tight end in the slot, Fisher (6-1, 231) is a bit small but brings enough thump to be the type of linebacker who never has to leave the field.—
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Though ashen, the convex steel form still resonates to the rhythmic thump of her hands.—
Verb
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Allen later slammed his right hand into the helmet of right guard O’Cyrus Torrence after releasing the ball.—
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Trump had repeatedly slammed Powell for cost overruns tied to the renovation.—
Noun
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Both teams scored 14 points in that final period, with Matthew Stafford’s 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson the killing blow with 38 seconds left.—
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This latest disaster will be framed by some as another blow to Minnesota's reputation.—
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
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Key's Jerry is a disruption through and through, knocking everything just a little off-kilter with each volatile appearance.—
Noun
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And then, when Stafford and Rodgers and the Titans said no thanks, Schoen landed with a thud on … Russell Wilson.—
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The Panthers’ run game ended the 2025 regular season with a thud.—
Verb
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Iowa then got three good looks from the three-point line in the final seconds but couldn't hit the tying shot.—
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Despite their franchise history dating back to the mid-70s (via Kansas City and Colorado), which includes essentially all of the highest-scoring era in league history, the New Jersey Devils have never had a player hit either of the game’s most basic offensive milestones.—
Cite this Entry
“Swat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swat. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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