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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 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
  • The tired, the sick, the hungry, the famous and tons of ex-boyfriends, all regretting their wrongs.
    — Courtney Love, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of boyfriends
Noun
  • The lawn’s early closure that year, which usually is done over the winter, coincided with peak fall foliage-viewing season, putting a prime spot for autumn leaf lovers off limits.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This year, there’s something for nearly every interest, from cheese lovers and bookworms to crafty adults and puzzle enthusiasts.
    — Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 24 Sep. 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
  • She’s also lost in the memories of her heady youth, spent reclining in the sun and talking of politics and social concerns with various friends, lovers, and would-be suitors.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Had the Italian not claimed publicly that Richarlison wanted to leave, Spurs would have had a stronger hand in transfer talks with potential suitors and the player might have been more open to the club’s proposals.
    — Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of suitors
Noun
  • When Fridays were for dates, boys were for fun, and girlfriends were soulmates.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Brody Drewes shot 68 (-4) to help Lake Minneola boys golf edge Eustis by one stroke to win the West Orange Invitational.
    — Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • All five senior fellows are set to appear at an on-campus event Wednesday.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The program would provide grants or enter into contracts with nonprofits to administer the legal fellows program under the California Department of Social Services.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fellows
Noun
  • The survey was conducted online in April among 1,200 men and women nationwide aged 15 to 69.
    — Masayuki Oi Japan News, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • That same year, MOCA canceled its annual gala amid controversy over a lack of diversity among former gala honorees — all straight white men.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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