sway 1 of 2

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as in influence
the power to bring about a result on another under the sway of euphoria, she offered to take us all out to dinner in celebration of her new job

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sway

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sway contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sway are authority, command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, and power. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

When can authority be used instead of sway?

The meanings of authority and sway largely overlap; however, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

In what contexts can command take the place of sway?

While in some cases nearly identical to sway, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When would control be a good substitute for sway?

In some situations, the words control and sway are roughly equivalent. However, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When could dominion be used to replace sway?

The synonyms dominion and sway are sometimes interchangeable, but dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When is jurisdiction a more appropriate choice than sway?

The words jurisdiction and sway are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

When is it sensible to use power instead of sway?

The words power and sway can be used in similar contexts, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

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 sway
Noun
The executive branch has historically had large sway in using its spending powers during a shutdown, which led Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nine more Democrats to join their GOP colleagues in voting to keep the government open. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025 Feelings sometimes have more sway than facts. Philip Elliott, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate, a decision that could sway the race. Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025 Nearly 72% of censorship attempts in 2024 were initiated by pressure groups and decision makers who have been swayed by them. Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway
Noun
  • The questions remain, however, as to the extent of such interest rate cuts amid more political influence.
    Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • China is turning climate action into industrial advantage, financial leverage, and geopolitical influence.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But amid the chaos of the postseason, no one really cares about the soundness of your logic in using an opener, pitching to this hitter with first base open or going to that reliever in a high-leverage situation.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The armed group controls tens of thousands of acres of coca plantations and has gained significant political leverage as President Gustavo Petro’s Administration scrambles to secure agreements with armed groups critical to advancing Colombia’s broader peace talks and anti-narcotics efforts.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Hanke relates that it was riddled with loopholes that handed the Banco Central de la República Argentina discretionary monetary powers.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The debilitating long-term illness affects millions worldwide, including more than 400,000 people in the UK, but has long lacked a definitive diagnostic tool.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Workers deemed non-essential are often furloughed, affecting the National Parks Service, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025
  • On Halloween of 2022, just weeks into the new school year, senior Ehni Ler Htoo was making his way through the halls of Proctor High School in Utica, New York, when a fellow student lurched at him from behind, repeatedly plunging a 9-inch hunting knife into his back.
    Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Gaza would then be governed by an international coalition headed by Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
    Richard Hall, Time, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Then comes the real work of actually governing the world’s fourth-largest economy, with the future prime minister inheriting a slate of thorny issues.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • LogoPowered byScale logo As the federal government shutdown has dragged into its seventh day, questions remain around how long-lasting the effects of service suspensions and funding cuts could be.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Tropical storm conditions are possible in portions of the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday, where Tropical Storm Watches are in effect.
    MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Secure, redundant communication systems ensure instant presidential command, while E-6B airborne launch control aircraft can assume control if ground communication is lost, guaranteeing uninterrupted deterrence capability.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The percentage indicates how much of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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