sway

1 of 2

noun

ˈswā 

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 of sway

Noun

• influence
• effect
• impact

Verb

• influence
• affect
• impress
• impact

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

Noun

When the sway gets too risky, the captain closes some of the outer decks. —Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026

Environmentalists and tribal governments oppose those agreements, calling them an abdication of the state’s regulatory responsibility that gives irrigation districts too much sway over how much water will be allowed to flow through rivers and estuaries amid ongoing fishery and ecological decline. —Andrew Graham may 12, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026

Verb

Of all the factors that could sway Giannis, with all due respect to Bam, the respect element likely is not at the top of the list. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2026

But during the aufguss ceremony at BASIN Glacial Waters, people smiled and laughed and swayed to the music, and Kyan’s dance-like towel moves distracted me from the discomfort of the heat. —Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing sway

• hold sway
• sway bar
• under one's sway
• under the sway of (someone)

Rhymes for sway

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

sway

1 of 2 noun

ˈswā 

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