Thesaurus results for SWATTING

swatting

verb

present participle of swat

as in smacking

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

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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 swatting Black-and-white news footage shows volunteer firefighters swatting flames with tree branches and dousing flare-ups with flower-pot watering cans. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 But at one Caribbean resort, guests can now sip frosty drinks by the pool, enjoy long dinners outdoors, or watch sunsets from the sand—all without swatting away mosquitoes. — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026 Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo are in great shape and constantly holding their own, getting into the backfield and swatting down passes. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 In May, Barrett’s security detail worked with police to quickly deal with the call determined to be swatting, or a fake 911 call designed to provoke a police response. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 The worry was that adding sixteen teams would mean blowouts, the big sides swatting away the small ones. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 Another customer said Roberts was also seen kicking and swatting chickens outside the store. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 18 June 2026 Liam Owen, of Boise, who worked as an aircraft mechanic for Horizon Airlines, documented the date of the incident as May 28, when high winds swept through the Treasure Valley, fanning the flames of fires, swatting down trees and power lines, and causing tens of thousands to lose power. — Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2026 Police are investigating a swatting incident that targeted a school and Walmart in Hamden on Wednesday. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swatting

Verb

Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

Cook will be remembered for making the iPhone feel essential to everything from buying a coffee to listening to music, hitting the gym or paying a credit card bill.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Crow-Armstrong’s 38 blasts are tied with Kyle Schwarber (2019) for second-most by a left-handed-hitting Cub.

— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slapping

Verb

Meanwhile, Talarico is barnstorming the state, slamming Republicans mostly on kitchen table issues like stubborn inflation and the price of gas that has skyrocketed due to Trump’s war with Iran.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
There was little time for anyone to flee as flash floods decimated villages, slamming into houses, roads, bridges and power plants.

— Megan De Mar, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

And the defense module can neutralize them via electronics-frying HPM emissions, knocking satellites out without creating a cloud of space debris.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
For Lynn Parsons, knocking on a stranger’s door once made the difference between getting home and watching her car get towed away.

— Razak Diallo, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of knocking

Verb

In the film, ex-girlfriend Jill Jones reportedly accused Prince of repeatedly punching her in 1984.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
One recent City Series game at Wrigley also had three arrests and included viral brawl that many Cubs fans blamed on Sox fans, though video showed a guy in a Cubs jersey was punching a guy in a Cubs jersey as well.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of punching

Verb

There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.

— Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
Yes, there were moments of humor, such as getting magic potions around the campfire at the end of each stage by whacking helpless little elves, but most of it was played straight, to great effect.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of whacking

Browse Nearby Words

swatted

swatting

sway

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

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Synonyms of swatting

verb

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