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the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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

Influencer and cultural collaborations also held more sway with the younger group. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026 But these were mere hints and premonitions of the kind of sway that humans now hold. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Why was Victor able to sway people over to you in between those last two Roundtables? — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2026 While considered deep red, District 40 still claims many Democratic and independent voters who could help sway the outcome. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sway

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway

Noun

Her acid-folk and chamber-pop influences supply harp, flute, harpsichord, and strings, while the Jamaican influences bring low frequencies, echo, and electronic manipulation to her organic sounds.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
If Democrats can win a broader majority, their influence could prove more limited.

— Elena Moore, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of influence

Noun

Democrats have long enjoyed supermajorities in both chambers, leaving Republicans with relatively little leverage to challenge the majority’s agenda.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Democrats would still hold some leverage, largely due to the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold, but would be limited in investigating the White House and business.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of leverage

Noun

The brokerage said South Korea could emerge as a key market for additional capacity in Asia, with operators that secure power, land and long-term customer contracts better positioned to expand.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
These arrangements form part of Google’s broader effort to secure power for its expanding data center infrastructure while reducing the carbon emissions associated with natural gas generation.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

For example, someone may use your insurance information to obtain treatment, leaving behind records that could affect future care or insurance claims.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Duker pointed to disrupting throwing lanes and playing tighter coverage as ways to affect the quarterback even when the rush falls short.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

Her dancers contort and gyrate not only to music but to the mischievous natter of recorded dialogue, to the sound of wind and the hiss and lurch of a train.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
By the end of the lengthy, lurching first act, the entire eight-person cast is onstage.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

Concrete cases would establish that equal treatment governs the full educational enterprise.

— Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
The terms of the voluntary work program at all federal immigration facilities are directed by the Federal government and governed by federal law.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of govern

Noun

Yamazaki has said his film is in part a response to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which didn’t show the effect of the atomic bomb on people.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
Mountain lions in particular are suffering from the effects of inbreeding.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of effect

Noun

The surrounding gate offers tighter control over current flow, helping address the challenges of further transistor scaling.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Eisenberg was sworn in as assistant attorney general in charge of the department's National Security Division in June 2025 and oversaw cases involving espionage, terrorism, export control violations, cyber crimes and other matters.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of control

Browse Nearby Words

swatting

sway

swayed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of sway

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verb

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