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
  • She’s also joined by a range of boyfriends, with shoppers being able to pick one that has traditionally light or dark features.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
  • There’s nothing like two boyfriends to do it for you every time.
    — Steve Wasserman, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of boyfriends
Noun
  • For snow lovers, Big Bear Mountain Resort is just five minutes away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Talking Animals Books in Grapevine is leading the second annual event, encouraging book lovers to wander beyond Main Street and into the heart of the area's indie literary scene.
    — CBS News Texas Staff, CBS News, 14 Aug. 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 club beat competition from suitors such as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid thanks to a change of stance on his signing.
    — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • As for the story, neither the Phantom nor the callow boyfriend struck me as proper suitors for Christine.
    — David Allen, Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of suitors
Noun
  • Lastly, to dull the war-mongering vigor of the Rivermen, Ormund installs small, scared little boys, ripped from their homes, all along the chemin de ronde — a baby human shield for Ser Daeron the Daring’s great army.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • At a May 11 school board meeting, Matthews appeared with his daughter and urged officials to keep boys and girls in separate bathrooms.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • The fellows will receive a stipend for their participation, as well as have their travel and accommodations to Savannah and to Ossabaw covered.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Descriptions of the 2026 fellows’ projects can be found below.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of fellows
Noun
  • He was seized by three unidentified men, who later headed toward the western Tillaberi region of Niger, where Islamist militants are active, Reuters news agency reported at the time, citing an unnamed diplomat.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • These men must be honored for producing innovative products that improve millions of people’s lives.
    — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of men

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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 16 Aug. 2026.

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