sway

²sway

verb

Definition 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

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>

— sway·er noun

Examples of SWAY

1. branches swaying in the breeze
2. He swayed a moment before he fainted.
3. The lawyer tried to sway the jury.
4. 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

Related to SWAY

Synonyms: impact, impress, influence, move, reach, strike, ¹affect, tell (on), touch

Related Words: carry away, dazzle, enrapture, entrance, enthrall (or enthral), ravish, transport; bias, color; inspire, stir; engage, interest, involve, penetrate, pierce; afflict, agitate, bother, concern, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, disturb, fluster, harass, harry, perturb, pester, plague, smite, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry, wring; allure, attract, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate

Near Antonyms: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary; underwhelm

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at swing, affect