: to make a false report of an ongoing serious crime in order to elicit a response from law enforcement (such as the dispatch of a SWAT unit)
Special FBI Agent John Bennett of San Francisco said in a statement to CBS, that those who swat want to see "a tactical response" – specifically, they "want to see armed officers, they want to see a bomb, dogs, helicopters – that's all part of the fun." Bryn Lovitt
The congresswoman had just been "swatted," or subjected to a malicious act in which a person hides their identity, then calls the cops and reports a violent crime at the address of whomever they're targeting. Ryan Grenoble
swattingnoun
Prosecutors say that in addition to initiating the swatting episode in Kansas … Mr. Barriss made dozens of other, similar calls to emergency and law enforcement agencies across the country during which he falsely reported bomb threats, active shootings and other criminal activity at high schools, shopping malls and even the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Matt Stevens and Andrew R. Chow
Verb (1) She swatted the fly with a magazine. The cat was swatting the injured mouse with its paw. He swatted the tennis ball out of bounds. Noun (1) the impatient toddler got a swat on his wrist for stepping into the street by himself
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This might sound like a good opportunity to swat them, but humans also lose their ability to see quick, sharp features in the dark.CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 This might sound like a good opportunity to swat them, but humans also lose their ability to see quick, sharp features in the dark. Jamie Theobald, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2022 In the 30-second clip, the talented youth shoot, dunk and swat away the rock while modeling the NOCTA wear, with the brand’s distinctive name prominently displayed in all-caps down the spine of their jerseys. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 July 2022 However, Pope Francis has been quick to rhetorically swat down would-be reformers who are at risk of ignoring Rome's central authority on alterations of teaching or governance.Fox News, 21 July 2022 And Edwards has too, at one point getting help from Pelosi to swat back at the super PAC’s claims. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 3 July 2022 With Boston ranking as the NBA’s second-best team in blocks per game, as well as block percentage (6.8%), expect Williams to swat a few more Heat shots tonight and cash this prop rather easily. Xl Media, cleveland, 27 May 2022 One, they were limited to flying/sailing in relatively good weather and calm seas, as a tall wave could rise up to swat the aircraft in midair. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 27 May 2022 The Tor could plausibly have helped swat down the incoming cruise missile or even threatened the overflying drone—but apparently didn’t. Sebastien Roblin, Forbes, 17 June 2022
Noun
Despite their minuscule eyes and a brain roughly 1 million times smaller than yours, flies can evade almost every swat.CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 Despite their minuscule eyes and a brain roughly 1 million times smaller than yours, flies can evade almost every swat. Jamie Theobald, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2022 There was the swat against 7-foot-6 giant Tacko Fall. Joe Mussatto, USA TODAY, 6 July 2022 The pair didn’t disappoint, as Antetokounmpo scored 40 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and had three blocks – including the winning swat of an Embiid put-back attempt with 1.6 seconds left in the game. Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2022 The Warriors outlasted Merrimack Valley Conference foe Central Catholic, 49-47, on Sunday, as Hanscom totaled 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 2 blocks – including a swat in the final seconds to help preserve the win. Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2022 Davison swatted the ball away from around the rim as time expired, and Houston coach Kelvin Sampson wanted a goal-tending call on Davison's swat. Tommy Deas, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2021 Houston coach Kelvin Sampson and several players followed the officials off the court, arguing Davison's swat was goaltending. John Zenor, Chron, 12 Dec. 2021 In April, Baltimore Police and the FBI swat team executed raids on their homes. Justin Fenton, baltimoresun.com, 20 Aug. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
English dialect, to squat, alteration of English squat