SWING Synonyms: 182 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'swing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate , oscillate , sway , undulate , vibrate , and waver . While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. // the door suddenly swung open

Q: When might 'fluctuate' be a better fit than 'swing'?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. // fluctuating interest rates

Q: When is it sensible to use 'oscillate' instead of 'swing'?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction. // an oscillating fan

Q: When could 'sway' be used to replace 'swing'?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing , sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement. // trees swaying in the breeze

Q: When can 'undulate' be used instead of 'swing'?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion. // an undulating sea of grass

Q: Where would 'vibrate' be a reasonable alternative to 'swing'?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact. // the vibrating strings of a piano

Q: In what contexts can 'waver' take the place of 'swing'?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering. // the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

swing 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swing

as in license

Related Words

Relevance

as in movement

Related Words

as in shift

Related Words

swing

2 of 2

verb

ˈswiŋ

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction thinking that we were being followed, we abruptly swung to the left at the next intersection swing right at James St.

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to turn

to change the course or direction of (something) at the sound of gunfire, the cavalry officer swung his horse around and galloped rapidly back to the fort

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to manipulate

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a man who's able to swing two full-time jobs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rotate

to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis he swung the bat as hard as he could but he missed the ball don't let the wind swing that gate shut

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below beach towels swung up to dry on the lifeguard's high chair

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to afford

to have enough money for I don't think that we can swing that hefty a mortgage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When might fluctuate be a better fit than swing?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use oscillate instead of swing?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When could sway be used to replace swing?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can undulate be used instead of swing?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Where would vibrate be a reasonable alternative to swing?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

In what contexts can waver take the place of swing?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

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 swing

Noun

Ideological fractures linger among Democrats Some Democratic officials worry that the rise of democratic socialists within the party presents a political problem for candidates in swing districts. — Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Upton, who served for 36 years in a Michigan swing district before opting not to seek re-election in 2022, said Republican candidates in swing seats won't benefit from attending the convention. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

The country artist Kacey Musgraves swings through Madison Square Garden. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026 Grande became the face of an ongoing conversation around health, and the cultural pendulum swing away from body positivity to the glorification of thinness, ignited by the proliferation of weight-loss drugs. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swing

Noun

The last year has seen a groundswell of M&A activity focused on rare disease, and dozens of deals to purchase, license or fund new treatments for the rare community.

— Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Corbin’s death, coupled with the home’s litany of violations, led Florida healthcare regulators to pull Calvinelle South’s license and ultimately shutter the 10-bed Miami assisted living facility.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of license

Noun

For Katwala, the most impressive elements from the Games were the robots playing tennis, seeming to react to the movement of the ball and, in a match featuring robots playing alongside humans in doubles, of their partner, too.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Precision control for launchers Curtiss-Wright’s electromechanical actuators will provide precise movement and positioning for the system.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of movement

Noun

The role of companies Singapore’s new scheme shifts from merely encouraging births to focus on family well-being over the long term, which might help change how potential parents think about children.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
As Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has pointed out, Apple has made this shift before when the Friday has been on this date.

— David Phelan, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of shift

Verb

After successful demonstration in ground and airborne trials, the company turned its attention to a GravNav, a system that senses changes in gravity fields.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
There’s no better time to start turning your closet over for the season ahead.

— Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

In virtually every practice, Rodgers gives the young quarterbacks a small piece of information — how to throw the ball on the run, how to carry out play-action, how to manipulate defenders with their eyes.

— Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
New tools in neuroscience have allowed researchers to manipulate the activity of specific neurons in mice brains.

— Danny G. Winder, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The screen can tilt 20 degrees up or down, swivel right and left 15 degrees, and even rotate 90 degrees into portrait mode.

— Joe Salas August 28, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Investor attention is currently shifting toward a growing divergence within technology equities, as market capital rotates away from mega-cap tech giants and into the AI infrastructure supply chain.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rotate

Verb

Her drawings hung beside pieces by Henry Darger, Bill Traylor, and James Castle—canonical artists in the genre.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Above the staircase hangs a glimmering bronze-and-glass chandelier, a more conventional way of filling empty space on a superyacht—if conventional is the right word for a chandelier that weighs 350 kilograms.

— Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of hang

Browse Nearby Words

swineherds

swing

swinging

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“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of swing

noun

verb

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