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outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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
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
Sunday's vote was seen as a key test of whether the EU member nation stays on its liberal course or sways toward the right.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Grips the microphone, sways her hips.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
What to Expect From ‘Reminders of Him’ The film barely sways from the book, which has sold more than 6 million copies, a decision Caswill says was intentional after reading the screenplay by Lauren Levine and Hoover.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 11 Mar. 2026
Williams turns his ear for propulsive and bombastic melodies onto traditional Japanese instrumentation, creating a work that sways between gentle, meditative themes for the titular geisha (Ziyi) and heart-pounding selections to fill out her chaotic, tragic life.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
In addition, the NFL argued that the NFLPA refused to share important information about its survey, including methodology such as whether the data is weighted or averaged, and how qualitative feedback sways results.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
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
Sunday's vote was seen as a key test of whether the EU member nation stays on its liberal course or sways toward the right.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Grips the microphone, sways her hips.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
What to Expect From ‘Reminders of Him’ The film barely sways from the book, which has sold more than 6 million copies, a decision Caswill says was intentional after reading the screenplay by Lauren Levine and Hoover.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 11 Mar. 2026
Williams turns his ear for propulsive and bombastic melodies onto traditional Japanese instrumentation, creating a work that sways between gentle, meditative themes for the titular geisha (Ziyi) and heart-pounding selections to fill out her chaotic, tragic life.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
In addition, the NFL argued that the NFLPA refused to share important information about its survey, including methodology such as whether the data is weighted or averaged, and how qualitative feedback sways results.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sways
Noun
-
Advocates said the effects would be felt by communities most in need of medical providers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
However, there are occasional visual flourishes, like the beginning and end of each stage resembling sketches, and the backgrounds featuring light pencil lines and watercolor effects, hinting that the game takes place in a storybook.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Those musical influences would have a profound effect on Sabri.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
23 May 2026
-
The shape of the cosmos influences, among other things, how matter and light interacted in the early universe.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Yet the Avs’ power play without Makar at the point is more or less what the Broncos’ offense looks like when Jarrett Stidham’s at the controls.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
-
Key Takeaways Wasps are beneficial as pollinators and pest controls, but a nest near your house can cause problems.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
While teachers unions have gotten the most attention, the law also affects many other public sector unions, including those that represent bus drivers, janitors, cafeteria workers and maintenance workers.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
The condition affects children's development, and may cause difficulties with movement, speech, reading or writing.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
By the end, Noonan’s film stops feeling like a first date and starts to resemble the makings of a crime scene as his mood lurches toward something dangerous.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
-
Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The challengers had argued that the rules violated the Administrative Procedures Act, a federal statute that governs how federal agencies can draft and enact new rules and regulations.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
The lease agreement governs the business relationships between the Charlotte airport and partner airlines.—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The project’s developer subsequently withdrew the data center use at the last minute during the March meeting, after community pushback over possible environmental and health impacts.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
While El Niño can bring a cooler, stormier than normal summer to the Great Lakes, its strongest impacts are usually felt during winter as the pattern peaks.—
David Yeomans,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Recipient of 15 Grammy or Latin Grammy nominations (with one win), the Havana native built a career that leverages and celebrates her music’s Cuban country/folk roots.—
Bill Kopp,
SPIN,
13 May 2026
-
Swarming technology leverages distributed AI to enable autonomous coordination and decision-making.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sways. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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