swastika
noun
swas·ti·ka
ˈswä-sti-kə 
also swä-ˈstē-
1
: a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same rotary direction
2
: a swastika used as a symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism
Examples of swastika in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
California Fliers with ‘hate propaganda,’ conspiracy theories dumped on driveways in Fresno
March 1, 2024
In the video, the family is seen taking a bucket of chalk to draw over the swastikas.
—
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
In the video, a visibly upset woman confronted the officer about an anti-Israeli participant who allegedly showed off a swastika.
—Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 1 Apr. 2024
The threats came after Schroeder reportedly found a notebook in the classroom that had a swastika on it.
—Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024
The swastika is a symbol, and the peace sign is a symbol.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
His complaints have often included ugly details, like swastikas being scrawled on doors, and a university’s indifference to them.
—Vimal Patel, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Bluer also is accused of spray-painting swastikas, a racist slur, symbols and other graffiti on a public bathroom at Trombly Park in Warren.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024
This hate crime comes just days after surveillance video captured a suspect spray-painting a swastika on a wall of the Arch Street memorial over the weekend.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2024
How that lament connects with the swastikas on Lillian’s bedspread, rather than with half a century of plutocratic policy, is never suggested.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2023
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
In the video, a visibly upset woman confronted the officer about an anti-Israeli participant who allegedly showed off a swastika.
—Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 1 Apr. 2024
The threats came after Schroeder reportedly found a notebook in the classroom that had a swastika on it.
—Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024
The swastika is a symbol, and the peace sign is a symbol.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
His complaints have often included ugly details, like swastikas being scrawled on doors, and a university’s indifference to them.
—Vimal Patel, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Bluer also is accused of spray-painting swastikas, a racist slur, symbols and other graffiti on a public bathroom at Trombly Park in Warren.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024
This hate crime comes just days after surveillance video captured a suspect spray-painting a swastika on a wall of the Arch Street memorial over the weekend.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2024
How that lament connects with the swastikas on Lillian’s bedspread, rather than with half a century of plutocratic policy, is never suggested.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swastika.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near swastika
Cite this Entry
“Swastika.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swastika. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swastika
noun
swas·ti·ka
ˈswäs-ti-kə
also swä-ˈstē-kə
: a symbol in the form of a cross with the ends of the arms bent at right angles all in the same direction
Etymology
from a word in Sanskrit (the ancient language of India) svastika "a symbol in the form of a cross with bent arms," from svasti "well-being"
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