swim 1 of 2

verb

ˈswim How to pronounce swim (audio)
Definition of swimnext
1
as in to spin
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around his head was swimming after he was given so much information on his first day at the new job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sail
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air there appeared to be an oily film swimming on the water

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swim

2 of 2

noun

as in trance
a temporary state of unconsciousness the merest glimpse of blood sends him into a swim

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 swim
Verb
Several people were swimming from an anchored boat to Chicken Rock, a popular boat gathering and cliff jumping spot, located at the northern part of the lake in Sherman. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026 When the Guaraní saw Ruiz setting off on his raft, some of them would swim over, wanting to push him along. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
The new penguin babies will join the colony after passing a swim test, which occurs when the chicks turn about 70 days old. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 The narrative is punctuated by prose-poems about the water conditions during her swims, which varied enormously from day to day and month to month, sometimes exquisite, sometimes terrifying. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swim
  1. spin
  2. sail
  3. trance
  4. float
  5. daze
  6. hover
  7. faint
  8. ride
Verb
  • That was a move partly instigated to develop a new crop of fast bowlers, but a home series defeat to Bangladesh two years ago and the loss of the first Test to England in October 2024 prompted the PCB to switch to spin-friendly tracks.
    — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • His approach, and the propaganda machine that has spun it as a law-and-order success story, has turned Bukele into an international figure, and cast leaders like Petro and Cepeda, who helped design Petro’s strategy, as soft on crime.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • Off property, the hotel can connect guests with surf lessons, sailing on Jamaica Bay, paddleboarding, and sailing excursions.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
  • During Monday’s practice, Smith threw an interception to safety Andre Cisco on a pass that sailed well over the receiver’s head.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sail
Noun
  • Though the faith and worship systems of the time are largely unknown, researchers believe this rock art may depict a group in a trance state.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • His research has included brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and trance states, as well as surveys of people's spiritual experiences and attitudes.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of trance
Verb
  • Jaissle is likely to have his own prospective midfield names, too, who were not actively being floated before he was appointed.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But that identical physical phenomenon might soon change how miniature robots fly, float, and navigate complex environments.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of float
Noun
  • Everyone in town seemed to walk through that day in a daze; Leslie’s name was spoken in hushed whispers.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • Kutsuna has an impish twinkle; Yamada mutely swans about in a daze like an opium fiend.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of daze
Verb
  • Inspectors observed around 6 flies hovering at and below a prep sink.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But things went sideways when the drone hovered above Austen’s pool and dropped the package into the water.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of hover
Noun
  • Starting and running a business isn’t for the faint of heart.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Some of the stadium prices aren’t for the faint of heart, with a water alone almost costing $10 and a birria quesadilla almost $30.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
Definition of faint
Verb
  • The two people who went missing while riding personal watercraft off the coast of Long Beach over the weekend are sharing their stories of survival after they were rescued by first responders.
    — Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • At the 2025 French Open, Loïs Boisson rode her wild card all the way to the semifinals, beating two top-10 players along the way.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of ride

Browse Nearby Words

swills
swim
swimming
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Cite this Entry

“Swim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swim. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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