swing state

noun

plural swing states
US politics : a U.S. state in which Republican and Democratic candidates have similar levels of support and which is considered to play a key role in the outcome of presidential elections
The politics of immigration in Florida, a key swing state, are not as clear as they are in California.Tom Masland et al.
If he is so polarizing, how was he elected five times in a swing state?Nancy Gibbs et al.

Examples of swing state 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.
Trump won the first swing state called on election night, North Carolina. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024 How Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris in Michigan The Detroit vote did not necessarily directly lead to Harris struggling in Michigan overall — The Associated Press called the state for Trump midday Wednesday — but the city played a role in one of the tightest swing states this election cycle. Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024 Michigan has been a hot spot of U.S. politics as one of the swing states that shifted right and delivered a narrow victory for President-elect Donald Trump. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024 As governor of a key swing state, Whitmer appeals to both moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party and could be seen as a candidate that could attract the support of independents and undecideds. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for swing state 

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swing state was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near swing state

Cite this Entry

“Swing state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swing%20state. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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