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the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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

Nostalgia continues to hold a powerful sway over younger generations. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 July 2026 On the regional planning agency’s board of directors, North County politicians hold outsized sway — among them Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner, who has chaired the board for a year and a half. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026

Verb

Still, bond investors, who are less swayed by market fads than stock investors are, have also lost enthusiasm for the AI boom. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 July 2026 Fans bond by singing the same words, tunes, and rhythms together, swaying, waving or pumping fists in unison. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sway

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway

Noun

The city and nearby Miami Beach are both known for its airy and colorful Mediterranean Revival styles, Caribbean influence and tropical take on Art Deco, but skyscrapers do not have a long history within the city.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Public investors receive a minority interest with limited influence and no certainty about when the controlling owner will eventually sell.

— Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of influence

Noun

John Schreiber The MLB trade deadline is always kind to high-leverage relievers.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Any time the aim is to reduce dangerous capabilities, interrupt military operations, shield partners, deny an adversary freedom of action, or generate bargaining leverage, aerospace forces will carry the principal military load.

— David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of leverage

Noun

Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia reported raising alarms or fending off Iranian attacks, as Kuwait said another power and water desalination plant was hit.

— Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
The strikes injured several people at the oil facility and caused a fire at the desalination plant, forcing several power generation units offline.

— Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 18 July 2026

Definition of power

Verb

The result could reshape global supply chains, affect the prices that businesses and consumers pay, and redefine America’s relationship with its trading partners.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Many are also unsure of how nutrition affects their relative’s health condition and lack training on meal planning, budgeting and cooking for themselves and for a relative with chronic health conditions.

— Minakshi Raj, The Conversation, 24 July 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

The statue is dragged via ropes by grunting Trojans before being lurched upright against a sacred temple, once again jostling those inside.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
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

Definition of lurch

Verb

Hopkinson and chief financial officer Simon Capper visited Nyon, Switzerland, on multiple occasions, while the CEO also spoke to governing-body representatives in Budapest before the Champions League final in May.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
But Khamenei has remained hidden from public view, neither addressing the nation directly nor visibly asserting his authority, even as officials negotiate or govern in his name.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of govern

Noun

Firefighters and authorities in both European countries were caught off guard by the virulence of the fires, which were fueled by high temperatures and the long-term effects of climate change.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
The voucher effect The state’s voucher expansion has had a profound impact on the growth of Catholic schools.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Definition of effect

Noun

Massive forest fires have forced the evacuation of some 200,000 people in southwestern France and central Spain, with residents fleeing towns near Madrid and Bordeaux on Friday as flames raged out of control.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
The Wildcats managed just two free throw makes in the entire Elam segment while KU took control of the contest.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 July 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 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sway

noun

verb

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