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outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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
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
That sways decisions from time-to-time.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
That sways decisions from time-to-time.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sways
Noun
-
No immediate impact likely for world oil markets The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC won’t necessarily have any immediate effects in markets.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
These spillover effects are deepening an arc of instability stretching from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The architecture draws on classic English influences, with a slate roof and detailed millwork, paired with more modern additions like smart home systems and an elevator.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That means influences of sugar-producing countries.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That strategy also reflects the relative smaller pockets of Chinese AI firms and constraints in accessing cutting-edge chips under Washington’s export controls.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Passed as part of the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022, the federal government is now instituting strict price controls on prescription drugs accessed through Medicare.—
Elaine Parker,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Punishment that, in this case, ultimately affects children.—
Ciera Bates-Chamberlain,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Lighting Technology The type of light bulb in use dramatically affects whether turning off lights is necessary.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Copyright policy governs access to all forms of media and determines how knowledge is constructed and shared.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Ad-Industry Merger Has Players Wondering With the recent merger of advertising titans Omnicom Group and Interpublic Group, a single entity governs two of the biggest buyers of ad inventory in the business.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also, women who are pregnant and their fetuses, children, older adults and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease, may be physically more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution than other adults, according to the American Lung Association.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In recent years, the helicopters have drawn more and more complaints about high operating costs and the potential health impacts from noise pollution.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beyond extending flight time, the shift to hydrogen leverages the laws of physics to improve drone reliability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
OneTeam Partners negotiates media deals and leverages players’ name, image and licensing rights.—
David Carrillo Peñaloza,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sways. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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