hold sway

phrase

: to have a dominant influence : rule

Examples of hold sway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the novel, Eliza’s children are kidnapped by the King’s men who demand possession of a rare and powerful elixir that holds sway over life and death in exchange for their safe return. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026

The diffusion of power makes a more regionalized world inevitable, and to maintain order in that world, the United States will need to work with China, Russia, and other countries that hold sway in their neighborhoods. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

That criminal case shined a spotlight on Miami’s luxury real estate market over which the Alexander brothers held sway until their arrest, trial and convictions. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Regression arrived, and the team held sway through to Game 7 of the final. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hold sway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway