sway

1 of 2

noun

ˈswā How to pronounce sway (audio)
Synonyms of swaynext
1
: the action or an instance of swaying or of being swayed : an oscillating, fluctuating, or sweeping motion
2
: an inclination or deflection caused by or as if by swaying
3
a
: a controlling influence
b
: sovereign power : dominion
c
: the ability to exercise influence or authority : dominance

sway

2 of 2

verb

swayed; swaying; sways

intransitive verb

1
a
: to swing slowly and rhythmically back and forth from a base or pivot
b
: to move gently from an upright to a leaning position
2
: to hold sway : act as ruler or governor
3
: to fluctuate or veer between one point, position, or opinion and another

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to sway : set to swinging, rocking, or oscillating
b
: to cause to bend downward to one side
c
: to cause to turn aside : deflect, divert
2
archaic
a
: wield
b
: govern, rule
3
a
: to cause to vacillate
b
: to exert a guiding or controlling influence on
4
: to hoist in place
sway up a mast
swayer noun

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for sway

Noun

power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine.

power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

Verb

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway mean to produce or have an effect upon.

affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost
his emotions were touched by her distress

impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

Examples of sway in a Sentence

Noun the sway of the ship He has come under the sway of terrorists. The ancient Romans held sway over most of Europe. Verb branches swaying in the breeze He swayed a moment before he fainted. The lawyer tried to sway the jury. She persisted in her argument, but I wouldn't let her sway me.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
But in 2024, the state's 17 electoral college votes don't hold the same sway. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024 The absence of any significant, widespread problems has not stopped Trump, the Republican nominee, or the RNC, which is now under his sway, from making numerous claims of fraud or election interference during the early voting period, a possible prelude to challenges after Election Day. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Remember, certain market trends and emerging business ventures can sway the value of your domain up or down. —Michael Gargiulo, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Instead of the ballot tallies being the last word, both sides are likely to turn to courts and public opinion to try to sway the outcome. —Mike Allen, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sway 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sweigh, from sweyen

Verb

alteration of earlier swey to fall, swoon, from Middle English sweyen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sveigja to sway; akin to Lithuanian svaigti to become dizzy

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sway was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing sway

Dictionary Entries Near sway

swaver

sway

swayback

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sway. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

sway

1 of 2 noun
ˈswā How to pronounce sway (audio)
1
: the action or an instance of swaying or of being swayed
2
: a bending or twisting caused by or as if by swaying
3
: controlling force or influence : rule

sway

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to swing or cause to swing slowly back and forth
b
: to move gently from an upright to a leaning position
2
: to change often between one point, position, or opinion and another
3
: to have a strong influence upon
swayer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sway

Nglish: Translation of sway for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sway for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sway

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