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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
Alex Harring,jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
Polls show a close race, but analysts warn against underestimating Mamdani’s sway in a district where he is viewed favorably by about 80% of voters.
—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2026
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
As the water sways and the flowers blow, 120 wooden crosses now line the Guadalupe River in Kerr County.
—
Marissa Armas,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sway
Noun
As a result, a company with a higher price per share will have more sway over the index.
—
Alex Harring,jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
Polls show a close race, but analysts warn against underestimating Mamdani’s sway in a district where he is viewed favorably by about 80% of voters.
—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2026
Verb
In a clip from the moment, Contreras seemingly mildly argued his point with officials, who could not be swayed.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
As the water sways and the flowers blow, 120 wooden crosses now line the Guadalupe River in Kerr County.
—
Marissa Armas,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway
Noun
-
Its influence traveled through a globally recognizable set of products and ideals, all centered on the American Dream.
-
He was raised in Tiberias and Eilat, outside Israel’s traditional centers of power and influence.
Noun
-
The recent surge in commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could give the US additional leverage in talks with Iran, analysts said.
-
Now in terms of personal goals, pad leverage, effort, block release and affecting the quarterback.
Noun
-
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
-
He was raised in Tiberias and Eilat, outside Israel’s traditional centers of power and influence.
Verb
-
The memo also addressed aftermarket auto parts and would supersede the ability of the California Air Resources Board to evaluate parts that affect vehicle emissions.
-
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
Verb
-
Once, somewhere in southern Virginia, Dad performed the customary lurch off the highway in the direction of a promising barbecue counter.
-
The same boom-and-bust dependency on the oil industry, whose profits were now funnelled through the regime and its allies, kept the country lurching from one crisis to the next.
Verb
-
While the district’s mayor and council have governed it since 1973, Congress has the right to review and repeal its laws and budget, as well as appoint its judges, despite residents not having voting representation in federal politics.
-
The governing body refused to restrict Pride displays, giving fans the green light to bring rainbow flags and symbols into the stadium.
Noun
-
Dodgers two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani waddled through the clubhouse after the Dodgers’ 4-3 comeback victory against the Padres on Friday night, the bulging ice wraps around his left knee and right arm creating a penguin-like effect to his gait.
-
The airbrush effect is thanks to a blend of polymers that reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines.
Noun
-
Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.
-
With Australia closing in on a winner in regulation with its young attack, Egypt settled in over the final 20 minutes or so to regain control of possession and find the more consistent threats on goal.
Cite this Entry
“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
