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 — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor.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
  • Throughout much of the season Elassal plays the dutiful friend to his core group — Lucy Freyer’s Billie, Owen Thiele’s Anton, Amita Rao’s Issa and Jack Innanen’s Paul Baker — and dutiful boyfriend to Rachel Marsh’s Carly.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The 35-year-old model and her boyfriend, Romain Gavras, 45, were photographed sharing a passionate kiss while walking through the streets of Rome.
    — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of boyfriend
Noun
  • This is maybe one that a true pickle lover looking to experiment would really enjoy.
    — Bianca Harris, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • At the same time, in my experience, younger viewers today are far better film lovers than older ones.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • And, when Malika’s dentist beau sends her flowers, Khloé opines (over FaceTime, naturally) that the bouquet is too small and therefore cheap.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Timothée Chalamet, who is 30, and Kylie Jenner have been together for at least three years, but that doesn't mean Jenner is giving into any societal pressures to start a family with her beau.
    — Marzia Nicolini, Vanity Fair, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of beau
Noun
  • The injury was raised again during a frantic final 24 hours of the transfer window when Crystal Palace emerged as rival suitors for Fofana.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Zoie, a dynamic forward and at 5-9 taller than her 5-5 fraternal twin Kai, had a longer list of Division I, Power 4 college suitors than her sister.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of suitor
Noun
  • This initially takes unassuming form, as Maya grows friendly with Kiran (Krish Raj More), a boy of a similar age.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Deputies arrived at the scene and found a man and a boy with gunshot injuries.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of boy
Noun
  • The following year, Luis Enrique arrived, and Ruiz says the players responded well to his fellow countryman’s philosophy and style of play.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • On both shows, hosts and fellow guests treated my view as the contrarian, minority position.
    — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of fellow
Noun
  • Quick, name the seven men who have attempted at least one field goal or extra point for the Commanders over the previous two seasons.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Six men ultimately were convicted — TSA immediately banned nearly all liquids, gels and aerosols from remaining with travelers beyond security screening.
    — Rio Yamat, Fortune, 8 Sep. 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 12 Sep. 2026.

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