swab 1 of 2

noun

ˈswäb How to pronounce swab (audio)
Definition of swabnext
as in sailor
one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel old swabs swapping sea stories as they spend their last days in the veterans' home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

swab

2 of 2

verb

as in to wipe

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 swab
Noun
The one-time SRY screening can be collected via saliva, a cheek swab or blood sample, according an FAQ on the Screen Sports platform. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Joining the registry can start with a cheek swab, with a kit mailed directly to someone’s home. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
Following the interview, the Connecticut State Police arrived to swab his hands for gunshot residue. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 In the absence of active lesions to swab for HSV itself, tests must evaluate the immune response to the virus in a patient’s blood, typically by screening for the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. — Lauren Schneider, Scientific American, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for swab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swab
  1. sailor
  2. wipe
  3. mariner
  4. scrub
  5. navigator
  6. brush
  7. rinse
  8. mop
Noun
  • Whether supporting the Trident missile or other systems throughout the fleet, NSWC Corona’s work equips sailors with the confidence to trust their systems — empowering them to deliver peace through strength when the nation depends on them most.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some of the most striking parts of your reporting are the moments these sailors missed back at home, including graduations and weddings.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sailor
Verb
  • For those with children or pets, the performance fabric is designed to wipe clean, and the seat cushions are removable to easily clean the sofa’s frame.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Smith appeared to cry and wipe her face during the bond court hearing.
    — DAVID J. NEAL, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of wipe
Noun
  • Carnival Conquest altered course in the Caribbean this week to assist a mariner in distress, the cruise line said.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Spanish authorities have issued recommendations for mariners intended to reduce risks to both the animals and people aboard vessels.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of mariner
Verb
  • It’s supposed to be scrubbed of personally identifiable markers, but how deep will that go?
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Use a circular motion to clean the surface, and don’t scrub too hard.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scrub
Noun
  • That navigator works to understand their needs and challenges, and then provides tailored recommendations.
    — Hillary Lum, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Ricki Fairley, co-founder of Touch, the Black Breast Cancer Alliance, recommended first finding a patient navigator at the hospital or cancer center to assist you.
    — Lauren Sausser, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of navigator
Verb
  • Amid this backdrop, cybersecurity companies have skyrocketed in value as businesses recognize the security need and have managed to brush off earlier disruption concerns that rattled the broader software sector this year.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Kusama was called pop, avant-garde, feminist, just to name some of the categories thrown at her, most of which Kusama brushed off as not quite representative of her art.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of brush
Verb
  • According to Typology, apply the serum directly to your eyelashes and eyebrows, and do not rinse.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But their work is less likely to become clichéd, because any stale fixations will always be rinsed and refreshed by the real.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rinse
Verb
  • The women went to the bathroom to mop the bottoms of their eyes, where their makeup was smeared from crying.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • Its roller has 24 water ports that spin at 270 rpm, or nine times per second, to mop your floors up.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026
Definition of mop

Browse Nearby Words

svelteness
swab
swabbed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swab. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All