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

As Grammy season comes into full swing, one of the biggest questions the Recording Academy will need to wrestle with is how to handle the current surge in popularity for country music. — Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 And even just making the right cut or the right swing pass, you might not get credited for it. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

But Olson swung at the first pitch and lined it directly to second baseman Kiké Hernández to end the threat and quiet the joint. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 The outpost has welcomed 298 visitors from 26 countries since the doors swung open in 2000, by NASA's count. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swing

Noun

Nina Simone’s definition of freedom, in the early 1970s, as the absence of fear, and Gaye’s license to express oneself, down to every last funky idiosyncrasy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Understanding a Missouri License Suspension Notice A Missouri license-suspension notice typically identifies the type of action involved, the applicable response deadline, and the agency or office responsible for processing any required materials.

— Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of license

Noun

At Lumalia Emmy Armstrong’s Holy Rage Retreats in the Oregon woods near Portland, small groups of women gather among the trees, expressing themselves through sound and movement.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
The prototype was tested on one construction worker during normal activities, including movement, breaks, drinking water and eating.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of movement

Verb

Neon has been in communication the SCP Wiki team to ensure the film’s distribution does not deviate from their mission and licensing guidelines.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
The complication shows the moon phases for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with a 135-tooth driving wheel that drastically enhances accuracy, deviating by just one day every 122 years.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of deviate

Verb

The service The service here is a nod to the turn-of-the-last-century where waiters and barmen wear starched white dinner jackets and a pianist serenades your cocktails in a grand salon.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Hidden Planet is the latest in the canon, this time turning the micro-cameras on the world of insects.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

This concept turned into an exhibit element where visitors could manipulate the parameters themselves and create different fields of grass.

— Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Our minds take in information from the world (input), manipulate it in some fashion (computation), and then enact behavior (output).

— Benjamin Riley, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Earlier this year, Jo Malone London transformed Center Stage, the rotating pop-up space on the main floor of Nordstrom’s New York flagship, into an immersive vegetable garden in celebration of its Brit Veggies Collection, for example.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Capitol Corner Bar plans to offer rotating seasonal cocktails, too.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of rotate

Browse Nearby Words

swineherds

swing

swinging

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Style

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of swing

noun

verb

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