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 — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor.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
  • The boyfriend of an 18-year-old college soccer player in Washington County, Pennsylvania, is accused of fatally stabbing her, putting her body in the hatch of her vehicle and recruiting his mother for help disposing of the body, authorities said.
    — Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The account from the younger brother of Panettiere’s boyfriend and longtime abuser confirms that Panettiere was potentially the victim of a drug overdose.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of boyfriend
Noun
  • Art lovers and newer aficionados will appreciate learning more about the artists, the art, and how they were created.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Coffee lovers who appreciate a deep and strong cup of Joe may especially enjoy brewing coffee with a percolator.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • As bald eagle fans around the world mourn the death of Jackie, her longtime mate Shadow has been spotted with a possible new beau in Southern California.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Sara Howe, a carriage driving trainer who often sees Louise and her beau at competitions, told Hello!
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of beau
Noun
  • Unless leverage can be generated from competing suitors, clubs interested in Chelsea’s surplus players can be confident their positions will strengthen as the transfer deadline nears.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Tired of grinding out a living in Vegas, ballerina-turned-showgirl Michelle (Sutton Foster) finally agrees to marry Hubbell (Alan Ruck), a longtime suitor who doesn’t exactly set her heart aflame.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of suitor
Noun
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was first published in 1876 and is all about a boy growing up along the Mississippi River in the 1840s and who is constantly getting into sticky situations.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Mario Lopez While Mario Lopez’s boys were getting ready for their first day of school, big sister Gia was still enjoying her summer break.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of boy
Noun
  • Eric Lai, a senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Asian Law and an expert on Hong Kong’s legal system, said the judgment was significant.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • His project has left him with much more fellow-feeling for the creatures.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fellow
Noun
  • The young men made an emergency call for towing assistance and were focused on dealing with the sinking boat and leaving the island.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Vernon, meanwhile, is encouraging people to remember that there was a man, a husband and father behind the headlines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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