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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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

But today, celebrities’ platforms are larger than ever, giving them even more sway, noted Genevieve Shaker, who teaches courses on celebrity philanthropy and fundraising leadership at Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Even where advanced-age consumers hold significant sway, they are rarely reflected with nuance in creative systems. — Ray Lansigan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Verb

The National Republican Senatorial Committee posted a montage of Piker discussing black voters, a critical bloc el Sayed needs to sway in his general election campaign. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026 Little did Brown know his presence was enough to help sway four-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion James, leading to the free agent signing last month with the Sixers. — CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sway

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway

Noun

Western nations are urged to collaborate to maintain market diversity and counter Beijing's influence.

— Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
The recent student protests across India were a reminder of the growing influence of Gen Z in the country.

— Sujata Assomull, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of influence

Noun

The problem was that thesis got derailed by a temporary loss of momentum in AI stocks – and that derailment was magnified by leverage, which magnifies both gains and losses.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
The Mets went from having a deep group of veteran relievers with high-leverage experience to a back-end group largely made up of journeyman arms.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of leverage

Noun

Since Chinese leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, many aspects of personal life for members of the Communist Party or the state sector, from divorce to travel and social activities, have come under increasing scrutiny.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
The genius villain is telepathic and has several powers, including superhuman strength, telekinesis, energy projection, shapeshifting and teleportation.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Other governments, including the US, have their own rules and disclosure requirements, but beyond the breadth of the controls in China, the sheer number of people affected is striking – and reaches far beyond civil servants.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
That, like this year, was an El Niño year, when a warming of the Pacific near the equator increases Pacific hurricane activity and affects weather patterns across the globe.

— Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

Maresca, though, does not appear to have much taste for the Premier League’s lurch towards balls into the box.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The United States, which had been lurching toward entry in the Second World War, was suddenly and inescapably thrust into global conflict.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

The continent has the world’s youngest population, but several countries are still led by aging leaders whose political careers began decades ago, including former liberation figures now governing in a different era.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
The proposals slated to be heard at Tuesday’s San Jose City Council meeting are part of a four-year review of Envision San José 2040 — the city’s long-term blueprint governing land use, housing and growth first approved in 2011.

— Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of govern

Noun

In winter, splurge for a room with a fireplace for the full mountain retreat effect.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Guest judge Willy Chavarria praises how Jeffrey’s outfit moved (my favorite thing about it), but the strength of Naheim’s tromp l’oeil effect snags him the win, immunity for the next challenge, and $20,000 from Viva.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of effect

Noun

Temperature control requires some attention, as the trailers can heat up quickly in direct sunlight and cool dramatically after dark.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Virna Jandiroba just took her down nine times and didn’t do much with that top control.

— Brett Appley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

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swatting

sway

swayed

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Style

“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sway

noun

verb

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