1
as in boyfriend
a male romantic companion
a romanticized portrait of a bygone era of beauteous Southern belles and their gallant swains
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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
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Recent Examples of swain
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But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor.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
Kramer, once again showing infinite tact, dissuaded the swain.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Dec. 2023
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But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor.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
Kramer, once again showing infinite tact, dissuaded the swain.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swain
Noun
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In 2022, Mackenzie Shirilla, a 17-year-old intentionally crashed her car into a brick wall in Ohio, killing her boyfriend and his friend.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
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The Iskanders are suing the Grossmans and Rebecca's former boyfriend, Scott Erickson, claiming wrongful death.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Despite morale-sapping staff layoffs, bizarre executive orders and a 43-day federal government shutdown last fall, the grandeur and serenity of national parks in California remain irresistible to outdoors lovers looking to unwind.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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The cleanest cruise ships have been revealed in a new study — and some of the findings may surprise cruise lovers.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The frontrunners are Vanity Fair cover star Kylie Jenner and her nominated beau Timothée Chalamet, who has been the butt of the joke all night for his opera and ballet comments.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
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When the host called out DiCaprio as the King of Memes and took the opportunity to make a new one, viewers could spot Ceretti sitting beside the 51-year-old and laughing at her beau's predicament.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Cala di Lucia Rosa is said to be named after a resident who threw herself from the cliff in despair after her father forced her to marry a wealthy suitor instead of her true love, a farmer.—
Kristina Kasparian,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
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Reports have previously indicated that Eli Lilly was preparing an offer, but the latest suitor is rumored to be AstraZeneca.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After all, many people engage in self-pleasure; many women get their periods; many boys have ejaculated in their sleep.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
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In 17 of 21 varsity seasons, Oswego East has finished with winning records in boys basketball.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While this is a luxury resort, expect your fellow guests to be dressed in snowpants and ski boots more often than not—don’t be shy to waltz through the lobby in your long johns.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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After Ejae, songwriter and singing voice of Rumi, finished her thoughts, fellow winner Yu Han Lee took the microphone, only for the music to begin playing.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The longtime Warriors coach reached 600 career victories, becoming just the 28th man to do so in NBA history.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
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And photos and videos after the storm showed undernourished Cubans, men, women and children dressed in rags and people barely managing in makeshift homes.—
David Goodhue
March 16,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swain. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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