SWITCHES Synonyms: 241 Similar and Opposite Words

switches 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of switch

as in swaps

to give up (something) and take something else in return switched the real grapes for fake ones switched the day of his flight from Thursday to Friday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in flaps

to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions cows lazily switching their tails and chewing their cud

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as in hides

to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible switched the stagecoach horses to control the direction they took

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in reverses

to change (as an opinion) to the contrary a politician who has switched his position on a number of issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in licks

to strike repeatedly the loose rigging switched the mast during the storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

switches

2 of 2

noun

plural of switch

as in whips

a long thin or flexible tool for striking struck the horse's hide with a leather switch, and it took off at a gallop

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in flicks

a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down that telltale switch of the cat's tail meant there was a mouse under the piano

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in punches

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument in frustration, he gave the mule a sharp switch on the rump, but it still wouldn't budge

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 switches

Verb

These regions, called domains, can interact as the device switches between states. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 Relative harms vary significantly when talking about a current tobacco smoker who switches to an e-cigarette compared with a nonsmoker who starts vaping. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026 The scene switches to a beautiful cliffside mansion overlooking the ocean. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 And since the vessel switches up its path based on the seasons and conditions at sea, passengers will see different astounding sights throughout the year. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 The key is in the flexible headband, which twists and automatically switches the Neo from headphone to speaker mode – and back. — New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026 Like Hall-effect switches, tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) switches use magnets, but TMR keyboard PCBs use a different type of sensor. — ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026 Starting Tuesday, all this becomes Wall Street official when PSKY switches to SKYD on the ticker. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 The broadcast then switches to what appears to be an MTV News update from Kurt Loder about search-and-rescue teams in Canada. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

Part of this problem is that the crews have to deal with a bewildering array of buttons, switches, and other physical controls. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026 Next, save 41% on the Razer Huntsman Mini Gaming Keyboard, and get cutting-edge optical switches and a streamlined 60% form factor. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 Worse, the fragmentation of DNA in the ancient samples gives an imperfect record of which of those regulatory switches are to be flipped which way. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Oct. 2026 The architecture uses electronic switches and control systems to change how battery cells are connected during operation. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 Other key elements include roll-in showers with grab bars and handheld shower wands; raised toilet seats with grab bars; lowered light switches, thermostats, and mirrors; and wheelchair-accessible bathroom sinks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 That was clear as the Bulls bled from the point of attack, allowing blow-by drives and suffering on switches as a result. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 In 272 of Jonathan’s genes, many tied to the cells’ power-generating mitochondria, the switches’ chemical tags stayed as orderly as in a youngster. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026 If longevity is a priority, contactless switches may still be worth considering, but be sure to compare their ratings with those of standard switches. — ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for switches

Verb

Instead of exchanging the entire print head, the K3 swaps a smaller assembly containing the nozzle, hotend and filament path.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Aaron Sorkin hopes to strike gold again with The Social Network follow-up The Social Reckoning, which swaps Jesse Eisenberg for Jeremy Strong in its portrayal of controversial tech exec Mark Zuckerberg.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of swaps

Verb

What isn’t vintage is mostly custom designed by Levin—a wall-to-wall couch with conversation pit vibes, a wooden bed with an attached bench, a thoughtful floating console that hides a TV.

— Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
On the day of the scavenger hunt, the team hides its creations around town, while ravenous worm-hunters eagerly await their first hint of where a ceramic worm decorated to look like a pickle, or a crayon, or a rainbow dinosaur, can be found.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of hides

Verb

Council’s eligibility therefore continues to be protected by the injunction unless and until a higher court intervenes with a stay or reverses the ruling.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
If that reverses—if the revisions get smaller—expect tech stocks to sell off.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of reverses

Verb

That glib self-confidence is present in McNamara, who licks the doughnut glaze off his fingers before offering his hand to the female detective questioning the one living Jason.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Later, a woman protractedly licks blue ice cream from a cone, her attempts thwarted by ferocious gusts of wind and sand.

— Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of licks

Noun

From the settings of spooky flicks and gothic literary legends to places that take their pumpkin patches and seasonal decor quite seriously, these eight spots prove that Halloween is so much more than a single night.

— Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026
The yakuza movies of the nineteen-sixties have more in common with classic Westerns than with American gangster flicks.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of flicks

Noun

The farm offers a punch card to residents for $18 and is good for up to 14 punches or around 21 bags of debris.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Hadribeaj attacked the body early, crouching beneath Fundora’s punches and landing looping shots over the top.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of punches

Browse Nearby Words

switcheroos

switches

switching

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Switches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switches. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of switches

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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