Synonyms of sways

sways 1 of 2

noun

plural of sway

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

• effects
• influences
• impacts
• repercussions
• consequences
• pulls
• marks
• weights
• clouts
• significances
• authorities
• dominions
• prestiges
• commands
• importances
• dominations
• supremacies
• sovereignties
• masteries

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

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outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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

• influences
• leverages
• pulls
• weights
• credits
• authorities
• ins
• hefts
• juices
• clouts
• importances
• impresses
• impacts
• reigns
• moments
• impressions
• consequences
• dominances
• counterinfluences
• commands
• scepters
• dominions
• sovereignties
• eminences
• predominances
• supremacies
• imprints
• marks
• masteries

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

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

• controls
• powers
• dominions
• reigns
• reins
• grips
• arms
• clutches
• influences
• holds
• authorities
• commands
• pulls
• death grips
• jurisdictions
• sovereignties
• voices
• privileges
• dominances
• leverages
• weights
• masteries
• managements
• directions
• clouts
• rights
• prerogatives
• supremacies
• predominances
• moments
• imperiums
• eminences
• importances

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impotences
• weaknesses
• impotencies

sways

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sway

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

• influences
• affects
• impresses
• impacts
• touches
• strikes
• reaches
• inspires
• moves
• involves
• interests
• tells (on)
• bothers
• attracts
• disturbs
• dazzles
• gets to
• fascinates
• penetrates
• stirs
• engages
• concerns
• worries
• biases
• perturbs
• transports
• pierces
• enraptures
• troubles
• tries
• enthralls
• harasses
• enchants
• colors
• carries away
• entrances
• ravishes
• captivates
• afflicts
• smites
• upsets
• plagues
• agitates
• stresses
• distresses
• wrings
• disquiets
• flusters
• charms
• pesters
• allures
• bewitches
• harries
• discomposes
• discomforts
• strains

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wearies
• bores
• palls
• tires
• jades
• underwhelms

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

• lurches
• rocks
• shakes
• tosses
• vibrates
• wobbles
• halts
• rolls
• careens
• jerks
• seesaws
• tumbles
• falters
• vacillates
• wavers
• staggers
• weaves
• totters
• waddles
• undulates
• oscillates
• hobbles
• stumbles
• teeters
• flounders
• toddles
• jolts
• pitches
• waggles
• reels
• hitches
• bucks
• blunders
• dodders
• wags

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

• governs
• rules
• dominates
• controls
• dictates
• manages
• commands
• leads
• domineers
• administers
• oversees
• bosses
• regulates
• directs
• presides (over)
• conducts
• captains
• supervises
• oppresses
• heads
• conquers
• masters
• micromanages
• reigns (over)
• tyrannizes
• subjugates
• superintends
• subdues
• lords (it over)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sways

Verb

One combat sequence at the end is genuinely excellent because the film puts actual creative effort into staging a knife-versus-ax duel on a gangplank that sways back and forth over the water. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The main road home is closed, so players must detour through a wild valley full of hills, rivers and angry wildlife, while the janky physics turn every bump into potential disaster as the RV sways, tips and flips with ease. — Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026

As the water sways and the flowers blow, 120 wooden crosses now line the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. — Marissa Armas, CBS News, 30 June 2026

In its dynamic equilibrium, our system sways like a grand old tree in the wind. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Republican political consultants are skeptical that Paxton’s place on the ballot sways the needle for Democrats. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026

Now the castle is in ruins (though with explanatory signage), with hiking paths, a museum, and a 1,200-foot pedestrian suspension bridge that sways 300 feet above the valley floor. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2026

One big question now, Thomas says, is whether a tie-up with a paragon of fast-fashion alienates Everlane's current clientele — or sways Shein shoppers to trade up. — Alina Selyukh, NPR, 22 May 2026

Biff shouts at him at the show’s excruciating climax) sways between light and dark, between the road and the deadly shoulder, advancing through his last hours on earth as if through the stations of the cross. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026