Synonyms of sway

sway 1 of 2

noun

ˈswā 

1

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

• influence
• effect
• impact
• consequence
• repercussion
• pull
• prestige
• mark
• weight
• importance
• dominion
• authority
• domination
• clout
• significance
• mastery
• command
• sovereignty
• supremacy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• helplessness
• impotence
• powerlessness
• impotency

2

as in leverage

the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly

outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• influence
• leverage
• authority
• weight
• pull
• credit
• in
• clout
• importance
• juice
• heft
• dominance
• impression
• impress
• impact
• dominion
• reign
• moment
• predominance
• sovereignty
• supremacy
• mastery
• counterinfluence
• command
• consequence
• eminence
• scepter
• imprint
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• helplessness
• impotence
• powerlessness
• impotency

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• power
• control
• dominion
• reign
• authority
• influence
• grip
• arm
• command
• jurisdiction
• hold
• clutch
• sovereignty
• mastery
• rein(s)
• death grip
• dominance
• pull
• leverage
• voice
• privilege
• clout
• management
• direction
• right
• weight
• predominance
• prerogative
• importance
• supremacy
• moment
• eminence
• imperium

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impotence
• powerlessness
• weakness
• helplessness
• impotency

sway

2 of 2

verb

1

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?"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• influence
• affect
• impress
• impact
• touch
• strike
• reach
• inspire
• tell (on)
• move
• interest
• get to
• involve
• bother
• attract
• disturb
• entrance
• bias
• dazzle
• penetrate
• fascinate
• stir
• worry
• carry away
• concern
• engage
• try
• transport
• enrapture
• upset
• trouble
• plague
• harass
• enthrall
• distress
• discomfort
• pierce
• afflict
• charm
• ravish
• smite
• stress
• color
• perturb
• agitate
• enchant
• captivate
• wring
• disquiet
• pester
• fluster
• bewitch
• discompose
• allure
• harry
• strain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade
• underwhelm

2

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

• lurch
• shake
• rock
• toss
• roll
• halt
• vibrate
• jerk
• wobble
• careen
• falter
• tumble
• waver
• vacillate
• pitch
• weave
• seesaw
• stagger
• totter
• stumble
• hobble
• reel
• toddle
• oscillate
• undulate
• hitch
• waddle
• jolt
• buck
• flounder
• blunder
• teeter
• wag
• waggle
• dodder

3

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

• govern
• rule
• control
• dominate
• dictate
• manage
• command
• domineer
• boss
• lead
• preside (over)
• captain
• regulate
• oversee
• administer
• direct
• conduct
• supervise
• head
• oppress
• master
• conquer
• reign (over)
• subdue
• subjugate
• superintend
• micromanage
• lord (it over)
• tyrannize

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

Recent Examples of sway

Noun

Soccer is not the major sport in New Zealand, where rugby holds sway. —ABC News, 18 May 2026

Global acknowledgment of this new sway is important to China, said Dalio, 76. —David Westin, Fortune, 16 May 2026

Verb

With their guns drawn, the three officers at one point were able to surround Jones, who had a small snowbank to his back as began swaying back and forth in the street. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026

District officials are still hoping to sway them. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026