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.
Iowa, the once swing state that voted for President Barack Obama twice, wound up going for Trump by 14 points. Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Dec. 2024 In addition to these demographic shifts, in the 2024 election, the Democratic Party notably lost support from Latino voters, particularly in swing states, as well as unions, both groups traditionally a stronghold of Democratic backing. Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024 The result is a competitive but stable electoral map with only a handful of swing states. Todd Eberly, Baltimore Sun, 21 Dec. 2024 All eyes were on the swing state for the 2024 general election. Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 18 Dec. 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 2 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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