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Definitions

swab

[swob] / swɒb /
VERB
clean
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONG


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.

See Examples For:

Most snakes were captured alive so scientists could swab their skin and collect blood samples before release.

From Science Daily May 26, 2026

For $249, patients can order the test and mail in a swab, and after a few weeks they receive a GLP-1 “effectiveness score.”

From MarketWatch May 18, 2026

Investigators took a swab from a leftover pizza crust Heuermann threw out in 2023, linking him to a hair found on the burlap sack Waterman’s remains were found in.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 8, 2026

The test requires screening through saliva, a cheek swab or a blood sample.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 26, 2026

“You’d best take a swab at your shoes with a blacking brush,” she said.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

The detective later told Tamasi not to send any of the DNA swabs for testing, she said in her deposition.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 5, 2026

Researchers closely tracked symptoms and collected daily nasal swabs, saliva samples, and blood samples to monitor infection and antibody development.

From Science Daily Jan. 11, 2026

Heller said that state park and wildlife officials took swabs of his board on the beach to analyze the shark DNA and then asked to take his board to analyze the shark bites.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 3, 2025

The swabs containing odours had been rubbed under the armpit, behind the ear, and between the toes of the owner or stranger.

From BBC May 28, 2025

When it was available, they also carried M-16 maintenance gear—rods and steel brushes and swabs and tubes of LSA oil — all of which weighed about a pound.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

Tamasi swabbed for DNA samples in Spivey’s truck—door handles and such.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 5, 2026

Officials swabbed his cheek to obtain DNA, and then moved him to Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 13, 2026

When someone goes to their GP or hospital with flu-like symptoms, they can be swabbed and tested for influenza, Covid, RSV and other viruses.

From BBC Dec. 18, 2025

And though a forensics expert swabbed the interior of the yacht for explosives, there were no testing facilities on the island, said Allan Galbraith, the superintendent in charge of Operation Rainbow.

From Slate Jul. 22, 2025

He put Francie back on the couch, got the carbolic acid and swabbed the spot with the strong raw stuff.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Inside, women are dabbing moisturizers, sampling eye shadows and swabbing lipsticks.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 8, 2025

But immediately after the crash, investigators carried out the meticulous process of swabbing the interior of the VW Polo for any forensic samples that could link the driver to that seat.

From BBC Nov. 25, 2025

Iwasaki cautioned against the idea that people swabbing their noses with Neosporin will be a cure-all in the future.

From Salon Apr. 27, 2024

I told Conboy the thought of swabbing my cheek and waiting for the results, which might be alarming, could keep me awake at night.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 18, 2024

I have been working hard too, shoveling coal, swabbing the deck, & doing other chores.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman




Vocabulary lists containing swab


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