swains

noun

plural of swain
1
as in boyfriends
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 wooers
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 swains 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swains
  1. boyfriends
  2. lovers
  3. beaux
  4. suitors
  5. boys
  6. fellows
  7. men
Noun
  • The singer and Gomez met through their respective ex-boyfriends, Joe and Nick Jonas, in 2008.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 July 2026
  • By the 1990s, the rule book was hundreds of pages long, with lines as specific as which fork to use at dinner and directives to not speak about boyfriends in front of fans, according to Texas Monthly's podcast America's Girls.
    — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026
Definition of boyfriends
Noun
  • Given how important human artistry and authenticity is to music lovers all over the world, these labels will provide an immediately understandable and easily scalable approach to transparency.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 July 2026
  • Topped with a pepperminty chocolate ganache and a crunchy layer of peppermint candy, these homemade brownies are perfect for mint lovers of all kinds.
    — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 10 July 2026
Definition of lovers
Noun
  • So are their girlfriends and wives, who support their beaus in stadiums and at home.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Despite some very not-so-subtle hints from yours truly, my past beaus have never gifted me a handbag on Valentine’s Day, either.
    — Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of beaux
Noun
  • The Heat is among the teams that James is considering in free agency this offseason, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting Tuesday that the Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers appear to be the top three suitors for James.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • Potential suitors are aware and viewing some of these players as possible market opportunities.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of suitors
Noun
  • She’s spent most of her life in King’s Landing; raised young boys in King’s Landing.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • Eight people were injured, including four boys aged six to 14 years old.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • Kanmani Chockalingam and Annabel Farr are McKinsey Global Institute senior fellows.
    — Sylvain Johansson, Fortune, 7 July 2026
  • The institute will be housed in Berkeley’s political science department, serving about 500 students a year, hosting fellows and funding research on democracy.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Definition of fellows
Noun
  • The two men did not know each other, according to the release, and police don’t think there was any altercation before the attack.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026
  • The two men remain in police custody pending an ongoing investigation, the post said.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of men

Browse Nearby Words

swain
swains
swale
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Cite this Entry

“Swains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swains. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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