SWALLOWS Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

swallows 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of swallow

as in sips

to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat try not to swallow the toothpaste

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in stifles

to refrain from openly showing or uttering swallowed his pride and asked for help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in believes

to regard as right or true my little niece swallows everything I tell her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swallows

2 of 2

noun

plural of swallow

as in gulps

the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time drank the cool refreshing water in two swallows and held out her cup for more

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 swallows

Verb

Social Security swallows nearly a quarter of the federal budget and is less than a decade away from insolvency. — Andrew G. Biggs, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 If your dog swallows these fibers, it can get caught up in the digestive tract like hair in plumbing and create a blockage. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Yancy falls to the ground, and the hallway effectively swallows him up, leaving him heartbroken and alone. — Barry Levitt, Time, 23 July 2026 There also tends to be an excess of fabric to accommodate differing torso lengths, which swallows my 5-foot-2 frame. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 21 July 2026 The film’s goldfish-eating scene, in which Donnie swallows a broker’s pet to punish him for slacking off, really happened. — Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026 Infant botulism begins when a child swallows food containing bacterial spores, which produce toxins in the intestines. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 Newspapers report it all, and the American citizenry swallows it whole. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 In an ideal world, Blueger lines up as the middleman of an energetic fourth line that swallows up defensive-zone draws. — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Noun

Like swallows returning home, more than 100,000 Penn State faithful flock to the fields surrounding Beaver Stadium six times a fall. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 The swallows — which arrive from across New England and the Canadian Maritimes — are on a journey to the Gulf of Mexico. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026 Four-year-old Juni Wahab was entranced by the sight of the swallows and cormorants swooping low overhead and the rushing twists of water. — Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 Birds such as swifts, swallows, sparrows, and starlings, which make their nests in the eaves of roofs, have been particularly affected by abnormally high temperatures, said Romaine de Jaegere, founder of the Center for the Rehabilitation of Animals Living in the Wild refuge in Temploux, in Belgium. — Makini Brice, USA Today, 23 June 2026 Sparrows, starlings, bluebirds, swallows, ravens, pigeons, and crows can become nuisance birds, causing damage and health risks. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 June 2026 Alfalfa grown for cattle feed swallows 26% of all water consumed in the basin, more than every city in the region combined. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026 Terminus always made sure their arrival came just after nightfall when the streetlights were lit and families were sitting back with full bellies bumping against their dinner tables, houses quiet; all conversation having already been spent between forkfuls of food and hearty swallows of drink. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Cliff swallows traditionally built their nests on vertical cliff faces. — Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swallows

Verb

The crowd sips matcha dragon fruit cocktails and stares, aghast.

— Dina Cheney, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2026
California returns to its original brand collaboration with BLQK coffee, and the team sips espresso during timeouts.

— Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of sips

Verb

Over the Top serves up favorite street eats every day except for Monday.

— Leondra Head, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Branch has similarities to Xavier Worthy, and that gives him the chance to be another WR4 with weekly boom upside … assuming Tagovailoa eats some spinach for that arm or Michael Penix returns under center.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of eats

Verb

When your fat cells are adequately stocked with fat, leptin levels are high, and your brain suppresses appetite.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026
Warming suppresses upwelling — which normally allows colder, deeper and nutrient-rich ocean water to rise closer to the surface.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of suppresses

Verb

Legitimate alcohol manufacturers use strict quality controls, and all their products undergo extensive testing, which is expensive and takes quite a bit of time.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
That kind of operational visibility is difficult to build and takes years to get right.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of takes

Noun

On weekdays, a steady stream of regulars stop in the light and bright space for their morning coffee and croissant or to sit for a bit with a ham and cheese sandwich and one of the shop’s seasonal specialty drinks.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
The flavor trend has grown in recent years, with more people adding frothy, creamy banana foam to their favorite coffee drinks or banana bread coffee syrup to their lattes.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drinks

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swallowing

swallows

swam

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Style

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

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Synonyms of swallows

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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