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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
ABC News, 2 May 2026
One key problem with California’s direct democracy is that voters are easily swayed by broad promises, but then lose interest in real-world outcomes.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Meridian City Council approved annexing 70 acres of farmland for a major residential and commercial development despite vague plans, with members swayed by concerns that a Star-area sewer district could otherwise serve the territory.
—Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2026
They were not swayed by studies showing most adults on Medicaid already work or go to school or have health conditions preventing them from doing so.
—Phil Galewitz, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
His exceptionally durable songs have become ingrained in the fabric of American life for many who grew up listening to them, and Tuesday’s audience at The Shell listened attentively and happily swayed along to the music.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Researchers also used a tool to measure how much participants swayed when standing naturally, as well as with their feet together.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
Perez has on occasion allowed himself to be swayed by advice from fellow directors or advisors when making new appointments, such as when lining up then-Spain boss Julen Lopetegui before the 2018 World Cup and Xabi Alonso to replace Ancelotti last May.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
They were swayed by a local program launched by city-LAB UCLA, a center founded by the University of California, Los Angeles' Architecture and Urban Design Department, which included a showcase of six prefab housing options and a guide to help navigate the process and secure financing.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 27 Apr. 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
The 28-year-old Nakatani, a southpaw, used his longer reach to keep Inoue’s punches at bay, while Inoue simply swayed his body or got out of the way.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
One key problem with California’s direct democracy is that voters are easily swayed by broad promises, but then lose interest in real-world outcomes.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Meridian City Council approved annexing 70 acres of farmland for a major residential and commercial development despite vague plans, with members swayed by concerns that a Star-area sewer district could otherwise serve the territory.
—Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2026
They were not swayed by studies showing most adults on Medicaid already work or go to school or have health conditions preventing them from doing so.
—Phil Galewitz, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
His exceptionally durable songs have become ingrained in the fabric of American life for many who grew up listening to them, and Tuesday’s audience at The Shell listened attentively and happily swayed along to the music.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Researchers also used a tool to measure how much participants swayed when standing naturally, as well as with their feet together.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
Perez has on occasion allowed himself to be swayed by advice from fellow directors or advisors when making new appointments, such as when lining up then-Spain boss Julen Lopetegui before the 2018 World Cup and Xabi Alonso to replace Ancelotti last May.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
They were swayed by a local program launched by city-LAB UCLA, a center founded by the University of California, Los Angeles' Architecture and Urban Design Department, which included a showcase of six prefab housing options and a guide to help navigate the process and secure financing.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swayed
Verb
-
The helmet logo, a chief, was influenced by Blackfeet Nation imagery, and team leadership consulted with the Blackfeet tribal chairman during its design.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Come Wednesday, the high pressure that is building is expected to slide away, influenced by yet another trough that’s expected to cool temperatures about 20 degrees from their Monday highs, according to the weather service.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
France lurched from republic to dictatorship to empire before cycling back through absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy, Second Republic, and Second Empire.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
An indictment filed in federal court in Sacramento on Thursday charges Mendoza Hernandez with one count of assault with a deadly weapon for each time his car lurched forward, incidents the government said were about seven seconds apart.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
There is little reason to think that Leon, who has already ruled against the government, will look with particular kindness on this experiment in literary form.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
Libras can be superficial because the sign is ruled by Venus, which appreciates beauty, as Sarah calls Bonnie out for after her surgery.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Owners of weapons affected by the ban would need to register them with the state.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
-
At least six people have been affected, including three who died and three others who fell ill, according to health authorities.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Haitian immigrants became eligible after an earthquake rocked the country in 2010.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Zack Bolduc and Cole Caufield, on the power play, had spotted Montreal a 2-0 lead as the Bell Centre absolutely rocked again in the anticipation and hope that perhaps their team might take a 3-1 lead over the favoured Lightning.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Products governed by a trade deal with Canada and Mexico also were excluded.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Homeowners associations must adopt hurricane protection specifications for every parcel governed by the association, and these typically include the color and style for products that comply with the applicable building code.—
Nicole R. Kurtz,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Associate Professor Nigel Beebe of the University of Queensland’s School of the Environment isn’t convinced.—
Ryan Brennan
May 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
-
As this increasingly audacious killer develops a devoted following among the city’s powerless, Bishop becomes convinced these murders connect back to SF’s most powerful man, his own father, Lincoln Graves (John Malkovich).—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His success in leading the restructuring greatly impressed his boss.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
And the kids will be impressed by the four-foot-tall, 2,200-gallon koi fish tank in the resort’s lobby.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swayed. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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