Swing

/ˈswɪŋ/ · verb

Meaning

(intransitive) To rotate about an off-centre fixed point..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To rotate about an off-centre fixed point.
2. (intransitive) To dance.
3. (intransitive) To ride on a swing.
4. (intransitive, sex) To participate in the swinging lifestyle; to participate in wifeswapping.
5. (intransitive) To hang from the gallows; to be punished by hanging, swing for something or someone; (often hyperbolic) to be severely punished.
6. (intransitive, cricket, of a ball) To move sideways in its trajectory.
7. (transitive, cricket) (of a bowler) To make the ball move sideways in its trajectory.
8. (intransitive) To fluctuate or change.

Example Sentences

The plant swung in the breeze.

With one accord the tribe swung rapidly toward the frightened cries, and there found Terkoz holding an old female by the hair and beating her unmercifully with his great hands.

The starliner swung into orbit around the planet Coruscant, and beyond the observation bubble appeared a glittering expanse of a billion golden lights. Through a thousand centuries of strife, those lights continued to shine.

Guardiola swung haymakers in all directions; he presented one of the world’s richest clubs as a noble, put-upon underdog; and he established a siege mentality with such coruscating precision that Football Daily instantly bet the farm on City winning the Premier League this season.

The children laughed as they swung.

We find it difficult to meet couples our age, and often swing with single, straight men. We have rules: no married guys cheating on their wives, no one too young or too old, and no one who supports Trump.

My husband wasn’t so lucky and didn’t get to swing at all so was very disappointed. I’m desperate to do it all again but he’s not so keen.

“It's all clear,” he whispered. “Have you the chisel and the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!” Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts.

Synonyms for swing

Antonyms for swing

Related Words

Word Forms

• swings
• swinging
• swung
• swang
• swungen

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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