sway
1sway
noun \ˈswā\Definition of SWAY
1
2
: an inclination or deflection caused by or as if by swaying
3
Examples of SWAY
- the sway of the ship
- the sexy sway of her hips
- He has come under the sway of terrorists.
- The ancient Romans held sway over most of Europe.
Origin of SWAY
Middle English sweigh, from sweyen
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to SWAY
- Synonyms
- impact, influence, mark, repercussion, effect
- Antonyms
- impotence, impotency, powerlessness
See Synonym Discussion at power
Rhymes with SWAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
2sway
verbDefinition of SWAY
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
3
a : to cause to vacillate b : to exert a guiding or controlling influence on
4
: to hoist in place <sway up a mast>
— sway·er noun
Examples of SWAY
- 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.
Origin of SWAY
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: circa 1500
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