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Definition of swat

swat

/swɑːt/
swat

Plural:swats
•
Past Simple:swatted
•
Past Participle:swatted
•
Present Participle:swatting
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swat Lexical Profile

swat Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To hit or slap something with a quick, sharp blow, especially using a flat object or the open hand.

Example

"She used a rolled-up magazine to swat the fly that had been buzzing around the kitchen."


2

North American To make a malicious and false report to emergency services in order to dispatch a heavily armed police tactical unit to a target's location.

Example

"The online gamer was horrified when a rival attempted to swat him by calling in a fake hostage situation."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for swat

• noun

1

A sharp, quick blow or slap, typically delivered with a flat object or the open hand.

Example

"He gave the mosquito a quick swat before it could bite him."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for swat

• Rhymes for swat

Word Origin & Etymology

Originated in the early 17th century as a Northern English dialect variant of 'swap' (to strike) or 'squat' (to squash).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Swat. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/swat
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