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
  • Four of my old boyfriends appeared because of what has happened to me.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The book is set around three years after the events of Heated Rivalry and sees Shane and Ilya as secret boyfriends while both play for Canadian hockey teams.
    — Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of boyfriends
Noun
  • Related Stories The motel sits among reed beds and woods, its rooms echoing with lovers every night.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Horror lovers have more options for wide releases today, but the genre isn’t dramatically outpacing other kinds of theatrical films.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 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
  • Her widowed aunt plays chaperone as Susanna attends heady lectures and repulses her many suitors.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • At the time, James was still considering his free-agency options amid interest from numerous suitors.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of suitors
Noun
  • In the book, Cathy is essentially setting up two boys to get in trouble.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Role playing difficult situations at home prepares boys to intervene in the moment.
    — Katie Hurley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • Poet Layli Long Soldier, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation, is also among this year’s cohort of fellows.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Throughout the two programs, fellows will receive mentorship and access to writers, directors, showrunners, producers, executives and other industry leaders, with programming tailored to their individual areas of focus and career development.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of fellows
Noun
  • There are so few CEO roles, and there is a desire to make sure that women are more perfect than men.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • His message to men dealing with low energy, slow recovery or lagging strength is practical.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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