1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leverage
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
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
3
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sway
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
While the film versions of their work, most notably Babes in Arms starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, are considered classics, their stage productions do not hold the same sway in popular culture as those of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump’s concerns over the advertisement appear to stem from its use of Reagan’s audio and potential to sway decisions in his tariff cases, which several lower courts previously struck down.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sway
Noun
If North Island was an ode to solitude and seclusion, Raffles was the exhale — a place where the rhythm of daily life matched the sway of the palms.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
While the film versions of their work, most notably Babes in Arms starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, are considered classics, their stage productions do not hold the same sway in popular culture as those of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
As rain pattered against windows, and trees lining the streets swayed, flurries of urgent texts began ricocheting from one end of the neighborhood to the other, and panic set in as some residents put on their shoes and hurried out the door.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump’s concerns over the advertisement appear to stem from its use of Reagan’s audio and potential to sway decisions in his tariff cases, which several lower courts previously struck down.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway
Noun
-
Gabbiadini didn’t have that influence.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Will Trump look to wield more influence?—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Beijing, in other words, got Washington to forswear one of its best economic tools just as China was wielding its own leverage.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The agreement could be a key piece of leverage in responding to China’s control of rare earth minerals.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the star power in the stands, the Dodgers lost 6-1, meaning the Blue Jays tied the series.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Both outcomes might also blunt the risk of further great-power escalation in this deeply chaotic geopolitical time.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Here's what to know about both recalls, including how many vehicles are affected and what impacted owners should do.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.—
Lyle Goldstein,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The mood is lurching between calm and doom-mongering chaos.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Founded in 1972, Wisconsin Humanities is an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, governed by a volunteer board of directors.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
And the remaining steps of the plan—the disarming of Hamas, the fielding of an international security force, and the establishment of a governing committee of Palestinian technocrats—will be a challenge, for the simple reason that no one knows how to do any of them.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The new rules went into effect for the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in 2023, according to an internal memo obtained by The National.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Different types of fiber have different effects on the body.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Johnson reportedly regained control of the vehicle and attempted to flee again, but police executed a ramming technique, known as a tactical vehicle intervention, to disable the vehicle, the release says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
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Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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