swishes 1 of 2

noun

plural of swish
1
as in whistles
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the steady swish of the windshield wipers

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2
as in flaps
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

swishes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of swish
1
as in hisses
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

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2
as in flicks
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

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 swishes
Noun
Banchero had the game-sealing shot, too — a 3-pointer that hit the rim, bounced a couple stories into the air, then dropped through the net with the softest of swishes with about 40 seconds left. — ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026 Now there’s a new celebrity in Greenfield, a purveyor of swishes instead of verses. — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 2 Apr. 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 Drain out the dirty water, then refill with clean, lukewarm water and give the scarf a few more swishes. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swishes
  1. whistles
  2. flicks
  3. hisses
  4. flaps
  5. zips
  6. whisks
  7. swings
  8. wags
Noun
  • While other animals such as rats and mice are also known to have laryngeal whistles, the study says that horses are believed to be the only animals known to combine the whistle with vocal fold vibrations to create a single, dual sound call.
    — Kate Perez, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Mrtka was actively involved between the whistles and after the whistle, using his size to clear the net and get under opponents’ skin.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of whistles
Noun
  • Screwball comedies, dark horror flicks and so much more await in this weekend’s edition of your friendly neighborhood streaming guide.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Network partner Turner Classic Movies is a big part of that, and the first of the month is always a great day to see which legendary flicks are newly available.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of flicks
Verb
  • Gaga hisses to her hair and makeup team after Priestly swans away.
    — Nigel Smith, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
  • Carrie’s voice hisses in my ear.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of hisses
Verb
  • If your dispenser has a latch that flaps open, make sure there is nothing blocking the flap to keep the pod from releasing and dissolving.
    — Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The robot flaps five to six times a second to maintain flight.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 9 July 2026
Definition of flaps
Noun
  • Comfort shorts, T-shirts, polos and half-zips round out the assortment.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The beans are braised until tender and creamy, tossed in lime juice that zips around the bowl.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of zips
Noun
  • The elephants are escorted by handlers who fan them with peacock feathers and yak-hair whisks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Look for other accessories such as chopping cups and pitchers that attach to the hand blender, lids and whisks.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of whisks
Verb
  • In the video, testers are seated in a ride vehicle attached to a robotic arm that swings around nearly 360 degrees in the air.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • During one of the more graphic sequences, It4mi swings a blade at the woman, severing her arm and sending blood across the frame.
    — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of swings
Noun
  • Moreover, if Griffin stepped into public life now, the cynical wags in finance would declare the reason obvious—his hedge fund’s returns have been sagging.
    — Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • Many critics, political pundits, and wags asked, somewhat rhetorically, whether anyone in the administration recalls how handing the responsibility of nuclear weaponry over to machines turned out in the Terminator movies.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of wags

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Cite this Entry

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

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