sway

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 of sway

• influence
• affect
• impress
• impact

Choose the Right Synonym for sway

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

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some gold ETFs directly invest in bullion kept in vaults, while others invest in shares of mining companies that tend to follow the price of gold while also being swayed by the companies' management decisions, efficiency and financials. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 29 May 2026

In general, bears show agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their teeth. —ABC News, 28 May 2026

Here, beneath the swaying kelp canopy of the Great African Seaforest, a helmet snail rises from the sand, siphon probing like a periscope for the scent of sea urchins. —Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026

Some suites have private gardens while others have ocean vistas; whimsical swings sway with the Atlantic breezes on many terraces. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing sway

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

Rhymes for sway

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

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