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
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Example Sentences
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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
Similar to the Broadway musical, the new movie ends with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and her strawman swain Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) walking into the sunset away from Oz, after the revelation that Elphaba staged her own melting death by hiding under a trapdoor.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025
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But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor.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
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 12 May 2026
Similar to the Broadway musical, the new movie ends with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and her strawman swain Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) walking into the sunset away from Oz, after the revelation that Elphaba staged her own melting death by hiding under a trapdoor.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025
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But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor.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
Noun
-
Deputies arrived at the home, but the ex-boyfriend had already left.—
Andrea Klick,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
That boyfriend, by the way, is also named Charlie.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
In recent years, sourdough has become a popular choice for bread lovers.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
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With a full orchestra, full choir, that's just something that's amazing to me a true music lover.—
Damien Henderson,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Noun
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The duo became Instagram official in December, when Perry posted a collection of photos and videos from her time in Tokyo, which included quality time with her beau.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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Olga, on the other hand just, like, moves on, when her beau is killed in that duel, finding a soldier to dote on in the very next scene.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Noun
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Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Crystal Palace have been among his suitors, and though Hackney’s preference is to join Everton, interest in the 23-year-old remains from elsewhere.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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There have been bread crumbs and clues about several suitors, but very little information that’s credible and definitive.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Noun
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On the rooftop, Gavin has his boy Kenny’s back the whole time.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
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The War Eagles got off to a strong start in the fall with a state championship in volleyball and followed with a productive winter, earning state titles in girls basketball and boys and girls swimming.—
Chip Saye,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The team would provide robust economic development — and pride — to my fellow ‘Rats.—
Gretchen Kalwinski,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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Alongside Pulisic and fellow midfielder Weston McKennie, Adams is a main character of this generation of the USMNT.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
12 June 2026
Noun
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San Antonio's star big man has intentionally tried to get the ball close to the basket rather than drift toward the 3-point line, and he's been rewarded with two baskets at the rim.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
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An Orange County man downed 2 quarts of Jack Daniel’s before firing a gun multiple times inside his Laguna Niguel home, forcing terrified relatives to flee.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swain. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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