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the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Broadcasters use a part of the public transmission spectrum, which gives the FCC large regulatory sway. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Tehran probably does not hold enough sway over the relatively autonomous Houthis, for instance, to induce that group to end its military action against Saudi Arabia. — Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

Less clear is whether the cautionary tale will sway other businesses. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 The judge appeared swayed by DHS’ assurances but needed time to consider. — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sway

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway

Noun

The four-bedroom home features modern heritage influences—like contemporary shaker furniture paired with more contemporary light fixtures—that define the interiors.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2026
Dark matter cannot be observed directly through ordinary light, but its gravitational influence helps shape the distribution of galaxies.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of influence

Noun

This has the potential to move hiring from a checklist exercise to a high-yield strategic maneuver, ensuring that critical hires are chosen for technical and commercial leverage.

— Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
But Palestinian parliamentary leverage reached a high point in 1992–1995, when Yitzhak Rabin’s government relied on support from two Arab-majority parties.

— Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of leverage

Noun

Ukrainians are bracing for the bitterly cold months ahead as the recent escalation in Russian attacks targets the power grid to deny civilians heat, light and running water.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Simply put, to stay economically competitive, America needs computing power that matches or beats its adversaries’.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Smiling can affect brain chemicals that are associated with positive feelings including endorphins, dopamine and serotonin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warmer waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that spur changes in the atmosphere that can affect weather around the world.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

The insurrection drew immediate and obvious parallels to the United States, which, during much of the past decade, has lurched alongside Brazil through a strange hall of mirrors.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Hop on the #6 double-decker from Central to Stanley beach, which lurches around Hong Kong Island's mountainous southern South China Sea coast (sit upstairs on the right-hand side).

— Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

Infantino is seeking re-election next year as the head of soccer’s world governing body in the face of attempts to force him to stand down in the wake of the divisive plan.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
There are other schools guided by religion – Notre Dame and Villanova are about to enjoy an audience with the Pope after playing in men’s and women’s basketball in Rome next month – but none is technically governed by its church.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of govern

Noun

Some opening day effects are long gone, such as the illusion created by actual shifting doors at the start of the attraction, or visions of tumbling rubble near its beginning.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The progression from vessel impact to environmental damage is clear to see in many cases, said Brian Barnes, who is part of a group of satellite oceanographers at the University of South Florida analyzing the effects of this war from afar.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of effect

Noun

On September 19, Miller’s forecast gave the Republicans an almost 36% chance of retaining control of the upper chamber.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
But two more scores from Rexroat of 5 and 54 yards maintained the Eagles’ control of the game.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sway

noun

verb

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