swain

noun

ˈswān How to pronounce swain (audio)
Definition of swainnext
1
as in boyfriend
a male romantic companion a romanticized portrait of a bygone era of beauteous Southern belles and their gallant swains

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in lover
a man who courts a woman usually with the goal of marrying her Grandma claims that she had several swains pursuing her, but it was only Grandpa who won her heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 swain Justyn Gonzalez and Alexandra Young share enjoyable comedy charm as a fumbling swain and the snappy-retorting object of his affections. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 12 May 2026 Between the romantic fantasy of Anna and her two swains, the swoony Tuscan locales bathed in creamy golden light, and the tomatoes, You, Me & Tuscany delivers everything its title promises. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 Apr. 2026 As the two lovers, Robin Wright as the comely princess and Cary Elwes as her loving swain are engaging and appealing. — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor. — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 Science emerges as a version of the pastoral, with the physicist as swain. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 Odette is a shape-shifter, from woman to swan, under sorcerer Rothbart’s spell, only to be broken when a swain pledges true love to her—Siegfried to the rescue. — Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swain
  1. boyfriend
  2. lover
  3. beau
  4. suitor
  5. boy
  6. fellow
  7. man
Noun
  • Both Mickey and Wes are going to find out about Skye’s new boyfriend.
    — Megan Vick, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In reality, 19 was a stressful and lonely time, spent mostly in the libraries of my frigid college town or fighting with my boyfriend in the dining hall.
    — Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of boyfriend
Noun
  • But only recently has America’s Finest City emerged as a culinary mecca where savvy food lovers come in search of their next great meal.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • As holiday season approaches, the TIME team has pulled out a selection of 10 best game and play items from the list that would make a perfect gift for the parents, little ones, and fun-lovers in your life.
    — TIME Staff, Time, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • The Tennessee native married her Teen Mom costar and longtime beau Taylor McKinney in October 2016.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Kardashian will reportedly continue showing up for her new beau.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of beau
Noun
  • After weeks of wondering who could be up for the mystery James Bond screen test, Deadline has not only found out who the actor is, another suitor is being added to the mix.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Jonathan Taylor remains the headliner of this trade deadline, with the Giants, Vikings and Broncos seen as the main suitors for the Indianapolis Colts running back.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of suitor
Noun
  • One book tells the story of two boys who are thrown into a river and transform into salmon, sharing traditional knowledge and cultural teachings through the Nisenan language.
    — Conor McGill, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • On July 22, 1979, a boy between 12 and 16 years old was found on the Imperial Beach shoreline.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of boy
Noun
  • But the churn rate for teachers isn’t necessarily an issue, according to Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the prominent conservative-leaning think tank American Enterprise Institute, who wrote a book on the school.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and an assist, and Aho's fellow Finn, defenseman Juuso Välimäki, also scored for the Hurricanes (15-3-2) who have won seven of their last eight games.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of fellow
Noun
  • An 18-year-old Vallejo man was arrested on suspicion of killing two people in October in separate shootings, police said Tuesday.
    — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Jones’ uncle, Christopher Mathews, described the head coach as a positive Black man in his community who goes above and beyond for his players and students.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of man

Browse Nearby Words

swags
swain
swains
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Cite this Entry

“Swain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swain. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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