1
as in effects
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 influences
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outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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 controls
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 affects
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 lurches
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 governs
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
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Recent Examples of sways
Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
That sways decisions from time-to-time.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Coogan stretches his massive wingspan and sways to the music as the on-air countdown ticks toward zero.
—Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
As the two hugged, Hayley flashed a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiles and sways in the sunlight.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
From leathery leaves to porcupine-like seedheads to foliage that sways gracefully, perennials offer all kinds of engaging winter interest.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
Winter’s vocal presence imagines a fearless indie oddball like Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus going for the full prattling gusto of the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger; the band tussles and sways exhilaratingly underfoot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
With Normani twerking up on the fence, Chiles moved center stage with professional dancing partner Ezra Sosa for a final round of dips, sways and high leaps that helped earn the tumbler third place in this year’s competition.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025
Now, in case of an earthquake, the whole 100-year-old station simply sways gently on these bearings.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 23 Nov. 2025
Verb
Look for a silhouette that has a little movement, like this wide-leg pair, for a cropped hemline that sways above loafers, sneakers, and ballet flats.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
That sways decisions from time-to-time.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Coogan stretches his massive wingspan and sways to the music as the on-air countdown ticks toward zero.
—Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
As the two hugged, Hayley flashed a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiles and sways in the sunlight.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
From leathery leaves to porcupine-like seedheads to foliage that sways gracefully, perennials offer all kinds of engaging winter interest.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
Winter’s vocal presence imagines a fearless indie oddball like Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus going for the full prattling gusto of the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger; the band tussles and sways exhilaratingly underfoot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
With Normani twerking up on the fence, Chiles moved center stage with professional dancing partner Ezra Sosa for a final round of dips, sways and high leaps that helped earn the tumbler third place in this year’s competition.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025
Now, in case of an earthquake, the whole 100-year-old station simply sways gently on these bearings.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 23 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sways
Noun
-
Throw in different playing surfaces, and schedules that feature fewer days off between games, and those variables alter the assessment of the effects on expanding the seasons.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The Dallas Morning News examined the impact of policy changes and program eliminations by the Environmental Protection Agency to assess the effects on North Texas.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Patriots’ philosophy is also circumstantial now, since its influences are varied.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The group was founded in 2014 by La Jolla Country Day School music teacher Chad Przymus, blending traditional drumming with global and contemporary influences.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In China, once a major market for Nvidia, US tech controls have restricted exports of its cutting-edge chips, significantly impacting sales in the world’s second largest economy.—
Rosa de Acosta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The hazardous conditions could make travel difficult with delays and chain controls.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Colorado, food insecurity affects 1 in 8 people.—
Jack Buffington,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Even just rolling your head in one direction affects how that sled tracks on the ice.—
Jayson Jenks,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.—
Claire Galofaro,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The freedom to own silver without quantity restrictions stems from the same legal framework that governs gold ownership.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The cause of death is under investigation pending a determination by the state medical examiner, said Mark Opgrande, communications director for the jail and the public trust that governs it.—
Richard Mize,
Oklahoman,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Spotty flurries are possible Tuesday night, but impacts should be minimal.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Researchers show that triaxial deformation impacts charge radii in models that feature shell effects, in contrast to what could be concluded from a liquid drop analysis.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
OneTeam Partners negotiates media deals and leverages players’ name, image and licensing rights.—
David Carrillo Peñaloza,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Vance Joseph’s defense in Denver is often predicated on playing certain leverages within man coverage.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sways. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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