Swatted

To strike or hit something, typically with a quick, sharp blow using a flat object like a hand or a paddle. Often used to describe the act of repelling or attempting to eliminate something, usually an insect, or to administer a light blow as a disciplinary action or in a game. The action implies a swift, often forceful, and sometimes dismissive or irritated movement. It suggests a specific targeting of something with a sudden and deliberate motion.

Swatted meaning with examples

• Annoyed by the persistent fly buzzing around his head, he swatted at it with his newspaper, hoping to silence the irritating insect. He missed, but the fly retreated, giving him a momentary reprieve. Despite the failure, he was satisfied with the effort. The moment reminded him of childhood games and the thrill of the hunt. The repetitive motion was cathartic.
• The baseball player, ready at home plate, swatted the incoming pitch with all his might. The ball soared high into the air and landed with a loud thud. The sound echoed across the empty field, the satisfying crack of the bat ringing out and leaving the batter anticipating a home run. The swing was perfectly timed. His team was elated with the hit.
• As the child misbehaved, the parent swatted his hand lightly as a gesture of reprimand. The impact was a shock to the child. Though painful, the tap was meant as a correction. He immediately understood the seriousness of the situation and became contrite. The parent, while regretting the physical action, was resolute in maintaining order.
• During the tennis match, she swatted the ball with a powerful forehand, sending it hurtling over the net at an incredible speed. Her opponent barely reacted in time, and missed hitting it. The momentum shifted, and she gained an advantage in the game. The precision of the stroke made a huge difference in the end.