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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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
The Dassault heirs hold global sway in fighter and business jets while the second-generation Saades control the world’s third largest container shipping line, CMA CGM. —Tara Patel, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026 Steam whistles and dogbark enter him with the sway of the church bell. —Chen Yuhong, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
The budding photographer started bringing a camera with him on his underwater adventures to document his dives, with imagery posted on social media sharing sea species such as leopard sharks and swaying kelp forests that dance with the ebb of the ocean. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026 Bediako’s attempt to sway the local courts already has spurred at least one copycat. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026 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
  • Global celebrity influence Zendaya begins her brand ambassadorship at Louis Vuitton — and is the face of its 2026 130th anniversary campaign.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Pinder described the choir’s sound as modern gospel with influences from contemporary Christian music and Caribbean traditions.
    — Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of influence
Noun
  • Maxwell could also hope to use her potential testimony before Congress as leverage going forward.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Panarin has a no-move clause, and apparently was quite willing to use it as leverage to control his destination.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of leverage
Noun
  • Until crude vulgarians like Miller came along, no prominent American political figure would claim on our behalf a right to use our power for purely selfish ends, at the expense of other democratic states and foreign peoples.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Calling out corporate entities and concentration of power as enemies also appears to be a winning strategy for Democrats in their messaging tactics.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • When the estrogen hormone declines during perimenopause, the body’s insulin sensitivity decreases, too, which affects overall metabolism.
    — Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The manipulations also affected how much sadness and anger participants reported feeling while scrolling.
    — Simon Makin, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of affect
Verb
  • When, at my photographer’s request, the president approaches the window of his office to open the blinds, his bodyguard lurches forward to close them.
    — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.
    — Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of lurch
Verb
  • The council, made up of seasoned political figures representing all sectors of Haitian society, had failed in their efforts to form a governing bloc to address the country’s core challenges, including security and elections.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Congressman Mike Levin has weighed in, sending a letter to USOPC officials in late December urging them to name USA Surfing the governing body in a timely manner.
    — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of govern
Noun
  • With the effects of the federal cuts expected to be felt across the state, other California counties have already started to look to consumers to replenish government coffers.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The high amount of vitamin C in noni juice also plays a vital role in its effect in boosting the immune system.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of effect
Noun
  • Engineers tracked stability and control across each phase.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • As Farthing was assisting in traffic control, a man approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back, sheriff's office spokesperson Kim Peters said in a news release.
    — Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of control

Browse Nearby Words

swatting
sway
swayed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sway

Nglish: Translation of sway for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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