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

Noun

• effect
• impact
• influence
• mark
• repercussion

Verb

• affect
• impact
• impress
• influence
• move
• reach
• strike
• tell (on)
• touch

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tuesday’s election will be a test of Wu’s political sway in the district, and an early indication of whether council candidates aligned with the mayor will win their races this fall, setting her up with more allies on the legislative body. —Emma Platoff, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023

But one need look no further than the American Academy of Pediatrics to see the sway football has had over science. —Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2023

That gentle sway is at the heart of McBride’s debut solo album. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2023

While Montana has a long history of mining and oil, gas and coal interests carry sway in Helena, the state also has deep environmental traditions. —Mike Baker, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2023

But the sway the Koreans hold over the dining scene exceeds their numbers. —Pete Wells, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2023

The series, starring Lily-Rose Depp as a pop star who falls under the sway of a Hollywood club owner (Tesfaye), suffered mostly negative reviews from critics, and viewership fell short of some other recent HBO shows. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Aug. 2023

Yet despite the distance between them, the sun still holds sway over the far-off planet. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Aug. 2023

But small-l libertarianism does hold sway in Silicon Valley, with political donors such as Peter Thiel and the Koch brothers, and also in parts of the Republican Party. —Annalisa Quinn, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023

Verb

Detectives often study them before consulting anyone, and the narratives can sway prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and juries. —cleveland, 17 Sep. 2023

He’s been offered a lot of money already, and that didn’t sway his decision at all. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023

So while the rankings will reflect viewership, they’ll also be swayed by variables such as a show experiencing a sudden surge in popularity or debuting a new episode and quadrupling tune-in. —Vulture, 14 Sep. 2023

Some consumer markets have yet to be swayed by the promise of tax breaks for new energy technologies. —Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2023

There are some other notable issues that don’t affect the quality of the cook but may sway consumers one way or another. —Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023

Those who are loud and proud members of the Croc cult will doubtfully be swayed by my recommendations to not wear them on a flight. —Lauren Burvill, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2023

Videos on social media showed Marrakesh’s largest minaret swaying as people below ran away. —Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023

Top assistants at the attorney general’s office had repeatedly attempted to sway Paxton to cut ties to the businessman. —Philip Jankowski, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023

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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

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

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

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