swish 1 of 3

noun

Definition of swishnext
1
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the steady swish of the windshield wipers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in flap
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down the mare brushed away the flies with a sweeping swish of her tail

Synonyms & Similar Words

swish

2 of 3

verb

ˈswish How to pronounce swish (audio)
1
as in to hiss
to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\ with their satin costumes swishing, the little ballerinas chasséd onto the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to flick
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions the horse's tail swishes after every jump

Synonyms & Similar Words

swish

3 of 3

adjective

as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion a trendy boutique filled with swish accessories for the urban fashionista

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 swish
Noun
Mullins launched a shot from 35 feet and … swish. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026 Their play is a symphony of cheers and swishes, conversation and laughter, dribbling balls and rattling rims. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
The life-size robotic elephants in Prasanth Prakashan's backyard workshop have ears that flap, tails that swish and trunks that squirt water. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 This was supposed to be magic, swished in from waaaaay downtown. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Adjective
There was more intrigue at the annual UTA, Curtis Brown And C&W at the Bo Tree Hotel’s swish Lavo, where new Channel 4 boss Priya Dogra was spotted chewing the fat with UTA top brass, including Curtis Brown CEO Jonny Geller. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026 The Vale can be combined with a stay at Silverstone’s swish Escapade hotel or in a luxury yurt on the inner track. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swish
  1. whistle
  2. flap
  3. hiss
  4. flick
  5. stylish
  6. zip
  7. whisk
  8. swing
Noun
  • During Atletico’s season-opening draw to Villarreal on Sunday, he was booed and walked straight down the tunnel at the full-time whistle after a second-half cameo.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When the final whistle ended, Messi and the rest of the men in pink trudged off the field and the silent, disappointed crowd headed to the parking lots and train station.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of whistle
Noun
  • This version has a removable belt for a customizable fit, a storm flap and back vent for breathability, and multiple pockets for keeping essentials close by.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The best testing locations include the underside of the base, the inside of a flap, the back of a strap, and a low section near a seam.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of flap
Verb
  • But delivering that level of craft in a high-octane room where the hissing espresso machine competes with the bassline?
    — Carly Boers, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • And in 2022, Japanese researchers turned a Madagascar hissing cockroach into a cyborg for search-and-rescue missions using a similar, though more sophisticated, approach.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hiss
Verb
  • Near the left corner of the 6-yard box, Pereyra turned and flicked a shot inside the back post.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Playing with the Chromatic is as simple as inserting a cartridge and flicking the power switch.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of flick
Adjective
  • This poplin maxi skirt is stylish, and its A-line cut can create a flattering silhouette on all body types.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In the morning, stylish couples from Tokyo were arriving for a ski weekend in late May.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of stylish
Noun
  • The bag is big enough to hold all your travel essentials—even a small umbrella or tablet—and features two slip pockets and one zip pocket inside.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible from the container or zip-top bag before freezing the fresh pumpkin puree.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of zip
Noun
  • In a medium bowl whisk together next seven ingredients (through vanilla).
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Niacinamide lends additional barrier support, while mild exfoliating ingredients like phytic acid whisk away excess oil and buildup that can leave the scalp feeling itchy or uncomfortable.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of whisk
Verb
  • Instead, the chief executive said Hilton's middle- and upper-middle segments have swung from posting negative numbers to growing at rates as high as 6%.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Slingshot surges forward as the tach swings toward redline, the exhaust emitting a guttural howl.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of swing

Browse Nearby Words

swirly
swish
swished
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on swish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swish

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’

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

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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