1
as in effects
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in influences
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in controls
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in affects
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?"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lurches
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the way the ski lift was swaying in the wind made me nervous
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in governs
archaic
to exercise authority or power over
an epic novel set in the days when Rome swayed the Western world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sways
Anna Halkidis, Parents, 11 Mar. 2026
Williams turns his ear for propulsive and bombastic melodies onto traditional Japanese instrumentation, creating a work that sways between gentle, meditative themes for the titular geisha (Ziyi) and heart-pounding selections to fill out her chaotic, tragic life.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
In addition, the NFL argued that the NFLPA refused to share important information about its survey, including methodology such as whether the data is weighted or averaged, and how qualitative feedback sways results.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Look for a silhouette that has a little movement, like this wide-leg pair, for a cropped hemline that sways above loafers, sneakers, and ballet flats.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
That sways decisions from time-to-time.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Coogan stretches his massive wingspan and sways to the music as the on-air countdown ticks toward zero.
—Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
As the two hugged, Hayley flashed a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiles and sways in the sunlight.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
From leathery leaves to porcupine-like seedheads to foliage that sways gracefully, perennials offer all kinds of engaging winter interest.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
What to Expect From ‘Reminders of Him’ The film barely sways from the book, which has sold more than 6 million copies, a decision Caswill says was intentional after reading the screenplay by Lauren Levine and Hoover.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 11 Mar. 2026
Williams turns his ear for propulsive and bombastic melodies onto traditional Japanese instrumentation, creating a work that sways between gentle, meditative themes for the titular geisha (Ziyi) and heart-pounding selections to fill out her chaotic, tragic life.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
In addition, the NFL argued that the NFLPA refused to share important information about its survey, including methodology such as whether the data is weighted or averaged, and how qualitative feedback sways results.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Look for a silhouette that has a little movement, like this wide-leg pair, for a cropped hemline that sways above loafers, sneakers, and ballet flats.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
That sways decisions from time-to-time.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Coogan stretches his massive wingspan and sways to the music as the on-air countdown ticks toward zero.
—Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
As the two hugged, Hayley flashed a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiles and sways in the sunlight.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
From leathery leaves to porcupine-like seedheads to foliage that sways gracefully, perennials offer all kinds of engaging winter interest.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sways
Noun
-
The task force will study drought conditions statewide and report on their effects on farmers, cities, and other areas.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The sun, wind, noise, boat vibration and motion can intensify the effects of alcohol and drugs which can quickly impair coordination, judgment and reaction time.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The seven-bedroom, seven-bath home reflects his love for handcrafted materials and modernist influences, especially from Frank Lloyd Wright and Mexican architect Luis Barragán.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Charles Du Bois, the late midcentury architect most remembered for infusing ranch-style homes with Asian and Polynesian influences, left his mark across Southern California.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The project aims to strengthen security controls and increase automation across daily operations.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The technology worked well, everything from partial self-drive SuperCruise to Apple CarPlay and an abundance of physical buttons and controls.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The film touches on some darker family trauma that also affects you.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Obesity disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic Americans, with 53% and 43% of each population affected, respectively.—
Alison Sexton Ward,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
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After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In his second run as CEO, Iger pushed back against DeSantis’s anti-Disney campaign and in March 2024 Disney reached a settlement with Florida in the legal fight over the special district that governs Walt Disney World.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
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The committee has historically convened every 10 years to seek resident input and give recommendations on which proposed amendments to the city’s charter — the document that governs the city — should be put in front of voters.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Colorado Water Conservation Board Director Lauren Ris explained that droughts do not affect every community the same way, and understanding where the impacts are most severe can help the state respond to those challenges.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Bergdoll cautioned that these impacts won't take effect immediately.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Beyond extending flight time, the shift to hydrogen leverages the laws of physics to improve drone reliability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
OneTeam Partners negotiates media deals and leverages players’ name, image and licensing rights.—
David Carrillo Peñaloza,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sways. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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