swat
v. C1 Advanced US //ˈswɑt// UK //swˈɒt// swat
v. to hit something, like a fly or a mosquito, with a quick and sharp blow. You usually do this with your hand or a flat object to get rid of a small pest.
v. to hit or crush with a sharp, quick blow, typically using the hand or a flat instrument. Often used in the context of pest control or defensive physical gestures.
He tried to swat the fly with a rolled-up newspaper.
The tennis player had to swat away a persistent bee before she could focus on her serve.
In a display of casual indifference, the politician attempted to swat away the reporter's difficult questions as if they were nothing more than minor nuisances.
From Urdu سوات (svāt).
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, usually the thing being hit.