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.
Tom Masland et al.If he is so polarizing, how was he elected five times in a swing state?—Nancy Gibbs et al.
Nancy Gibbs et al.Examples of swing state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ironically, the administration’s announcement does not focus on trade, but rather on currying favor with labor unions, progressives, populist conservatives, and voters in manufacturing swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
—Narupat Rattanakit, National Review, 31 May 2024
Regarding the last presidential election, multiple state attorneys general (Democratic and Republican), multiple judges appointed by Democrats and Republicans, and all election officials for the contested swing states have gone on record declaring that the election was fair.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024
North Carolina is considered a swing state in the election and NASCAR’s fan base has long been perceived as conservative-leaning.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2024
The Libertarian Party usually earns a small percentage of the popular vote depending on the state and race and year, and with several swing states potentially decided by narrow margins again, more people voting Libertarian has more of an impact on who ultimately wins the White House.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 25 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for swing state 
Narupat Rattanakit, National Review, 31 May 2024
Regarding the last presidential election, multiple state attorneys general (Democratic and Republican), multiple judges appointed by Democrats and Republicans, and all election officials for the contested swing states have gone on record declaring that the election was fair.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024
North Carolina is considered a swing state in the election and NASCAR’s fan base has long been perceived as conservative-leaning.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2024
The Libertarian Party usually earns a small percentage of the popular vote depending on the state and race and year, and with several swing states potentially decided by narrow margins again, more people voting Libertarian has more of an impact on who ultimately wins the White House.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 25 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for swing state
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swing state.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Swing state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swing%20state. Accessed 5 Jun. 2024.
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