sway 1 of 2

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sway

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verb

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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
The venue was then brought under the sway of a romantic piano melody, and the inflamed passion of the audience slowly settled. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 29 July 2025 Far away from the old, broken planet, a libertarian utopia will flourish, under the beneficent sway of the Elon. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
Verb
There’s a sense in the industry that the chart rankings are swayed by sudden influxes of subscribers rather than total audience. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025 This is an album of dazzling, free-flowing eclecticism: The rap is lean and taut, the reggae sways like the coolest island breeze, and the love rhapsodies swoon, thanks to the funky elegance of her own multitracked harmonies. Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway
Noun
  • Open-source projects often wield a different, more substantial type of influence over technical standards, security protocols and even the ethical frameworks that govern the use of technology.
    Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The group combines country, Western, rock and roll, pop and surf rock with soundtrack and new age influences, and has been praised by outlets like The Wall Street Journal.
    Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In so doing, the Administration hopes to use these gains as leverage in its negotiations with Beijing.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Lastly, SpaceX could gain some leverage by providing launch services to Amazon.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Such programming has been a major hit for Netflix since debuting WWE Raw in January, and Disney is clearly hoping for something of the same regular tune-in power for its sports app.
    David Bloom, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • An 8-core CPU and GPU power tasks such as voice and image recognition.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But the past six months or so have also seen complications over the renewal of his contract, with the displeasure generated by that undoubtedly a factor that has affected performances on the pitch.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Stalking is an issue that affects women across all sports — for instance, tennis star Iga Swiatek was confronted during a Miami Open practice in March by a man who had previously harassed her on social media.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Weather experts on the Leeward Islands — which include the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Bahamas — were keeping close watch midweek as Erin lurched toward the Caribbean.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025
  • At about a thousand feet, Earhart took over, and the plane immediately began lurching and wobbling.
    Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the day, your sympathetic nervous system accumulates activation while your parasympathetic system, which governs rest and restoration, gets overwhelmed.
    Allison Palmer August 19, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The legal framework governing National Guard deployments is complex.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The driver of the motor vehicle remained at the scene and was not injured, according to Bessette. Road closures were in effect in the area of the crash as the Waterbury Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit investigated the incident, Bessette said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2025
  • On Tuesday at 2:01 p.m. a flood advisory was issued by the NWS Raleigh NC in effect until 5 p.m. for Wake County.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
  • President Erika Sloane, however, convinces Ethan to return to stop a self-aware artificial intelligence program called The Entity before the AI takes control of all the world’s nuclear arsenals and causes nuclear Armageddon.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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