sway 1 of 2

noun

ˈswā How to pronounce sway (audio)
Definition of swaynext
1
as in influence
the power to bring about a result on another under the sway of euphoria, she offered to take us all out to dinner in celebration of her new job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leverage
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in power
the right or means to command or control others a time when Rome held sway over a vast empire that stretched from Britain to the Near East

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sway

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to influence
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response how can you not be swayed by that precious kitten, meowing as if to say, "Please take me home with you?"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lurch
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions the way the ski lift was swaying in the wind made me nervous

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3
as in to govern
archaic to exercise authority or power over an epic novel set in the days when Rome swayed the Western world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sway contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sway are authority, command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, and power. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

When can authority be used instead of sway?

The meanings of authority and sway largely overlap; however, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

In what contexts can command take the place of sway?

While in some cases nearly identical to sway, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When would control be a good substitute for sway?

In some situations, the words control and sway are roughly equivalent. However, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When could dominion be used to replace sway?

The synonyms dominion and sway are sometimes interchangeable, but dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When is jurisdiction a more appropriate choice than sway?

The words jurisdiction and sway are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

When is it sensible to use power instead of sway?

The words power and sway can be used in similar contexts, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sway
Noun
More evidence that Porsche is a rare car company in which the engineers have tremendous sway? — Mark Ewing, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 If Adams’ dismissal motion were to succeed, the Justice Department would theoretically have no sway over him. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
The death of an unvaccinated child in Texas last month has not been enough to sway everyone to immunize their children, and pediatricians are worried more kids will get sick. — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025 However, don’t let the price itself sway your purchase. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway
  1. influence
  2. leverage
  3. power
  4. affect
  5. lurch
  6. govern
  7. effect
  8. control
Noun
  • Critics of the Trump administration say its efforts to nullify the agency will cripple American influence overseas and carry devastating effects for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, which relied on U.S. funding for health care, food, and other basic needs.
    — Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The law is clear: any deal must eliminate Chinese influence and control over the app to ...
    — John Moolenaar, National Review, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of influence
Noun
  • Democrats saw the pending shutdown as a point of leverage against President Donald Trump and Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Schumer, by opting against the filibuster that serves as the Democrats’ single greatest instrument of leverage, declined to force GOP leaders to take that step.
    — Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of leverage
Noun
  • This dispatchable energy from batteries stabilizes the U.S. power supply.
    — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The 9a has a standard set of controls, including a power/lock button, volume keys, a USB-C port, and a SIM card tray.
    — Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of power
Verb
  • His footwork, his mindset, and he’s not affected by having one bad play.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This power shift comes at the direct expense of the collar counties — DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will — leaving suburban residents with little say over policies that affect their daily commutes and wallets.
    — Seth Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of affect
Verb
  • Paranoid – Black Sabbath If Black Sabbath was the birth of doom, Paranoid was the moment the monster lurched to its feet, six stories tall and stomping toward the future of heavy music.
    — Darryn King, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Still, the cost is low compared with historical home prices that saw fast growth after the Great Recession then lurched further skyward during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of lurch
Verb
  • Brundle has been vocal about the presence of heavy vehicles on and around the track during Grand Prix events, a matter of concern that must be addressed by the sport and its governing body, the FIA.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • While the governing body announced the creation of 30 player development centres for the future, Forest Ladies’ application to keep their centre of excellence status was rejected.
    — Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of govern
Noun
  • Consider that a bottle of $50 Champagne may soon cost $200 after tariffs go into effect April 1.
    — John Mariani, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The citric acid lifts discoloration, while the salt provides a mild scrubbing effect.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of effect
Noun
  • Boston, which trailed 4-1 in the opening period, tried to generate momentum for a comeback in the second period and enter the third period with control of the game.
    — Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, a smaller business with strong profitability and financial control can thrive for years.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of control

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Cite this Entry

“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sway

Nglish: Translation of sway for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sway

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