swab Synonyms
Another word for swab
• noun (Context 1)
A small piece of soft material, such as cotton, attached to the end of a stick or wire, used for cleaning, applying medication, or taking biological specimens.
"The nurse used a sterile cotton cotton bud to clean the wound before applying the bandage."
• verb (Context 2)
To collect a biological specimen from a person or surface using a specialized soft applicator.
"The technician will sample your throat to test for a bacterial infection."
• noun (Context 3)
A specimen of bodily fluid or cellular material taken with a soft applicator for medical testing or diagnostic examination.
"The laboratory rushed the nasal smear to check for the presence of the virus."
• verb (Context 4)
To clean, wipe, or absorb something using a mop or a small pad of soft material.
"He was ordered to mop the deck until it gleamed."
• noun (Context 5)
A large mop or absorbent pad used for cleaning floors, especially the decks of a ship.
"The sailor grabbed a heavy mop and began scrubbing the wooden deck to remove the sea salt."
Opposites of swab
The opposite of swab shifts depending on context. Common opposites include: