SWAY Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sway 1 of 2

noun

ˈswā

Definition of sway

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

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as in leverage

the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in power

the right or means to command or control others a time when Rome held sway over a vast empire that stretched from Britain to the Near East

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sway

2 of 2

verb

as in to influence

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response how can you not be swayed by that precious kitten, meowing as if to say, "Please take me home with you?"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lurch

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions the way the ski lift was swaying in the wind made me nervous

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to govern

archaic to exercise authority or power over an epic novel set in the days when Rome swayed the Western world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Iran’s memorandum of understanding with Washington, signed three weeks ago, threatened to chip away at its sway over the strait. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 In interviews, criminologists and violence researchers told me all three crimes raised credible concerns about Mangione’s sway on other suspects. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 July 2026

Verb

Kansas Citians soaked up the sun on Friday night, swing dancing, swaying and bopping along to Sheryl Crow on the FIFA Fan Fest stage. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026 When the Cubs selected Hartshorn in the 2025 sixth round, ultimately going way over slot at $2 million to sway him from going the college route, the organization envisioned big things for the first baseman/outfielder who only turned 19 in February. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sway

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway

Noun

Though heat domes aren’t a new phenomenon, what is abnormal is the influence of climate change.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 13 July 2026
One section tracks the influence of the Alhambra complex, in Granada, where artists trekked to whet their appetites for the exotic.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Definition of influence

Noun

Having gained a new source of leverage over the global economy, Tehran is fighting hard to keep it.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
While the cast maintained a united front, Cattrall was miffed at Parker’s raise and tried to negotiate for a higher payday, using Samantha’s fan-favorite status as leverage.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Definition of leverage

Noun

Whatever ailed this World Cup, the beautiful game was waiting with its healing powers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
While there is undeniable star power, and an unerring ability to get the job done, England will have opportunities to make a mark of their own.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Adams’ shoulders lurched on the bench, while Richards fell to his knees, dug his afro into the grass, and closed his eyes in pain.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Once, somewhere in southern Virginia, Dad performed the customary lurch off the highway in the direction of a promising barbecue counter.

— Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

Residents are strictly governed by regulations and believe the outside world is toxic, but the protagonist, an engineer named Juliette Nichols, begins to uncover secrets about the Silo’s history and the truth behind their world.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
The Football Association, the governing body of the sport in England, has to be alive to opportunities like this.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of govern

Noun

Given Nolan’s famous aversion to AI, there was a relief in knowing this incredible display of creativity came primarily from practical effects and shooting on location.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Vulnerable communities are at risk Vulnerable communities, including those with health conditions and people who are unhoused or work outdoors, have endured disproportionate effects from the unsafe air quality.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of effect

Noun

His ability to implement policies aimed at boosting economic growth — such as reindustrialization, building more social housing and taking greater public control of utilities — will also be severely constrained by weak government finances.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
In an increasingly unpredictable business environment, executives seek control over their biology through peptides, promising faster recovery and improved performance.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of control

Browse Nearby Words

swatting

sway

swayed

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“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sway

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verb

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