Definition

Adjective 1. Extremely severe, harsh, or punishing: Used to describe something, especially a cost, loss, or criticism, that is very large, burdensome, or damaging. 2. Exceptionally large or extensive: Can describe something of great size or scope, often in a negative or overwhelming context.

Usage

• The adjective swingeing is used attributively, meaning it typically comes directly before the noun it modifies (e.g., , ).
• It is a formal and somewhat literary word, often found in news reports, political commentary, or legal contexts to emphasize severity.
• It carries a strong negative connotation, implying something is unfairly or oppressively heavy.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The government announced swingeing cuts to public services. (The government announced extremely severe cuts.)
  • The company faces swingeing fines for violating environmental regulations. (The company faces punishingly large fines.)
  • The judge awarded swingeing damages to the plaintiff. (The judge awarded damages that were severe in their amount.)
  • The report delivered a swingeing critique of the administration's policies. (The report delivered a harsh and severe critique.)

Advanced Usage

• "Swingeing majority": This is a specific, though less common, idiomatic use meaning an overwhelmingly large majority, especially in a political vote or election.
  • The party won a swingeing majority in parliament.

Variants and Related Words

• Swinge (verb, archaic): To beat or strike hard; to chastise severely. This is the rare and now obsolete verb from which "swingeing" is derived.
• Swingingly (adverb, rare): In a swingeing manner; severely.

Synonyms

• Severe: Very great; intense.
• Punishing: Extremely arduous or debilitating.
• Crushing: Overwhelming; devastating.
• Draconian: Excessively harsh and severe (often used for laws or measures).
• Exorbitant: (Of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high.

Antonyms

• Moderate: Average in amount, intensity, or degree.
• Lenient: Mild or merciful in disposition or treatment.
• Negligible: So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering.
• Token: Done for the sake of appearances or as a symbolic gesture; insignificant.

Adjective

1. severe; punishingly bad
   • swingeing taxation
   • swingeing damages awarded by the judge