as in influenced
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1
as in affected
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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2
as in lurched
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the way the ski lift was swaying in the wind made me nervous
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3
as in ruled
archaic
to exercise authority or power over
an epic novel set in the days when Rome swayed the Western world
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Recent Examples of swayed
Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
When betting on a startup’s future potential, Graham is typically more swayed by his impression of its founders than the idea behind their business, the co-founder of startup accelerator Y Combinator wrote in a series of posts on social media platform X on August 10.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
Business executives, at least some, are less swayed by the hype and more level-headed about the costs and benefits of using AI.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
The readers are leaning skeptical, but they could have been swayed by stronger evidence of lasting life in Auburn’s script.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Cirie, who managed to return to camp after finding the phoenix coconut in time, swayed the vote away from Devins and Aubry in an effort to eliminate two players in the dominant alliance.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
But in the end, the chance to play with his brother and a certain starting job swayed Fernando to Indiana.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Steinbrenner made clear that the Yankees would stay in New York and not be swayed with a shiny new stadium in the Meadowlands where the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets would go on to play.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Eventually, he was swayed into the concept and has since interviewed his friends, rivals, and teammates and coaches from his career.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
People swayed to Cléopâtre's music on Sunday, with some singing along and blowing her kisses, while performers in colorful clothes danced on stage.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Cornejo, the community activist who attended the meeting in Guadalupe, read the reversal as a sign that Sheridan was too easily swayed and could not be trusted without court oversight.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
As fans stood for the opening run, a sprawling 23-piece backing ensemble — including six band members, eight backing vocalists plus returning Church muse Joanna Cotten, and a mini-orchestra with four horns and four strings — some swayed.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
When betting on a startup’s future potential, Graham is typically more swayed by his impression of its founders than the idea behind their business, the co-founder of startup accelerator Y Combinator wrote in a series of posts on social media platform X on August 10.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
Business executives, at least some, are less swayed by the hype and more level-headed about the costs and benefits of using AI.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
Bryan stretched it out across something close to 20 minutes, weaving in introductions of his band members, letting each take a turn at showing off their prowess, while the crowd jumped, shouted and swayed in unison.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
The readers are leaning skeptical, but they could have been swayed by stronger evidence of lasting life in Auburn’s script.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Cirie, who managed to return to camp after finding the phoenix coconut in time, swayed the vote away from Devins and Aubry in an effort to eliminate two players in the dominant alliance.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
But in the end, the chance to play with his brother and a certain starting job swayed Fernando to Indiana.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Steinbrenner made clear that the Yankees would stay in New York and not be swayed with a shiny new stadium in the Meadowlands where the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets would go on to play.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Eventually, he was swayed into the concept and has since interviewed his friends, rivals, and teammates and coaches from his career.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
People swayed to Cléopâtre's music on Sunday, with some singing along and blowing her kisses, while performers in colorful clothes danced on stage.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Cornejo, the community activist who attended the meeting in Guadalupe, read the reversal as a sign that Sheridan was too easily swayed and could not be trusted without court oversight.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swayed
Verb
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At the time, Polis acknowledged the need for tighter regulations but said he was influenced to reject the bill after Uber threatened to leave the state if the bill passed.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But his style, admitted Dupré, has always been heavily influenced by Travis — which can be a challenge when trying to maintain his own identity as an artist, while also honoring Travis' legacy.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Don’t gag, don’t cry — and my stomach lurched.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Since then, the larger culture has lurched rightward, with big corporations abandoning progressive signaling in favor of…other priorities.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Which is where the 2022 Heat first-round pick was for the entirety of the loss to the Hornets, even with the Heat losing starting center Bam Adebayo in the opening ticks of the second quarter to the back injury inflicted by what later was ruled a flagrant foul on Hornets guard LaMelo Ball.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
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In 1934, World Cup took place in Italy, then ruled by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Georgia Supreme Court's decision could shape how similar cases are handled across the state and determine whether people affected by similar situations can get answers about their health sooner.—
Jamal Goss,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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In Vermont, the temperature swing affected operations at Understory Farm in Bridport, which grows cut flowers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 1960s rocked the world and continued to haunt and inspire us as failure and ideal, more or less forever.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the shootings rocked the community roughly 200 miles east of Dallas.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the context of his live deposition, Sheriff Nanos did not understand the question related to discipline with a different agency not governed by the Arizona Peace Officer's Bill of Rights.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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This wartime structure differs sharply from the way the Islamic Republic was governed for 37 years under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But Strom isn’t convinced that her city is crosswise with state law.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
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Neighbors like Vetsch off Marion Road are convinced that's what hit their neighborhood, destroying multiple homes.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When Reiten first met with Gotham, the winger was impressed by their professionalism.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Greg Nobile, Seaview’s co-founder and CEO, says Gold impressed the estate’s managers with his vision for the play, sharing a pitch deck filled with production and casting ideas.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swayed. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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