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 — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor.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
  • In Kansas, a Sedgwick police chief used Flock license plate readers to track his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend’s vehicles 228 times over four-plus months, The Wichita Eagle reported in 2024.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • Burke went on to allege that Hernandez initiated their first kiss and asked him to be her boyfriend.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of boyfriend
Noun
  • While this verdant island makes a lovely spot for a hike and a picnic on a sunny day, art lovers have two additional reasons to make the trip.
    — Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • And the long-term effects have paid dividends, helping foster new Ghibli lovers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • Olsen first teased his relationship with Dockerty in October, soft-launching his new beau by blurring out his face in photos on social media.
    — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • Think beau sels oysters, salted fish croquettes, roasted swordfish and pizzas topped with lobster, tomatoes and stracciatella.
    — Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of beau
Noun
  • In Nolan and Hathaway’s interpretation, Penelope is a more calculating power player, keeping at bay the wolfish suitors who show up hoping to take Odysseus’ place and working the angles to preserve her son’s chance of assuming the throne.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 21 July 2026
  • Amid the scramble of suitors eager to acquire Kerr after her tenure at Chelsea drew to a close, Gotham came out on top, announcing her signing on June 17.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of suitor
Noun
  • A little boy climbed onto his dad’s lap to get a better view.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The lawsuit alleges breach of fiduciary duty and claims the school rejected roughly $10 million in pledges from alumni seeking to preserve the all-boys model.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of boy
Noun
  • The pop icon was previously married to Bono's husband, fellow singer Sonny Bono, and performed with him in the classic '60s group Sonny & Cher.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 July 2026
  • The three-month lapse in data is the longest delay seen in years, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of fellow
Noun
  • Chamberlain allegedly pointed a handgun at the third man prior to Marshall’s arrival.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • The three women were caught in the crossfire, while the three men allegedly participated in the gunfire.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 21, Sacbee.com, 22 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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