swinge

1 of 2

verb (1)

swinged; swingeing

transitive verb

chiefly dialectal

swinge

2 of 2

verb (2)

swinged; swingeing

Examples of swinge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Not so reassuring for any commoners, faced with an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and swingeing arts cuts liable only to seal the drawbridge shut. Mike McCahill, Variety, 8 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English swengen to shake, from Old English swengan; akin to Old English swingan

Verb (2)

alteration of singe

First Known Use

Verb (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swinge was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near swinge

Cite this Entry

“Swinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swinge. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!