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Synonyms

swatter

American  
[swot-er] / ˈswɒt ər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that swats. swat. swats.

  2. fly swatter.

ˈswatter British  
/ ˈswɒtə /

noun

  1. a device for killing insects, esp a meshed flat attached to a handle

  2. a person who swats

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of swatter

First recorded in 1910–15; swat 1 + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This kitty cat is an adorable but possibly ineffective fly swatter.

From New York Times

As a man, he’s an insect enthusiast in a world of bug swatters.

From Washington Post

A police raid at her home found a stun gun, butterfly knives and a modified electric fly swatter able to discharge noxious substances.

From BBC

In less than two hours, the Biden campaign released special branded fly swatters; by Thursday morning there was already a Debate Fly Halloween wig.

From Salon

Biden tweeted out a picture of himself holding a fly swatter and a plea to his fellow Americans: “Pitch in $5 to help this campaign fly.”

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.