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outdated attitudes that still hold sway in some communities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
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Hundreds of baskets holding young oysters called spat are strung along a line that floats on the surface and sways like a long black snake in the water.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
One call sways the difference of the game.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Hayley then flashes a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiles and sways in the sunlight.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
As such, wardrobe styling and other modes of non-verbal communication — from raising an eyebrow or throwing a cutting look to the way one lights a cigarette or sways to a disco beat — were particularly key to creating character.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
The museum gets off with a bang by taking guests on a simulated trip to space in a high-tech elevator lined with pin-sharp ultra-HD screens and a floor which gently sways to simulate zero gravity.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Yet, across the water, a seemingly impenetrable wall of the invasive plants sways in the wind, several feet tall.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
The camera sways and various items around the room fall over.
—Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
The final shot sees Tom gazing out the window as a curtain gently sways in the warm breeze.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Hundreds of baskets holding young oysters called spat are strung along a line that floats on the surface and sways like a long black snake in the water.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
One call sways the difference of the game.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Hayley then flashes a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiles and sways in the sunlight.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
As such, wardrobe styling and other modes of non-verbal communication — from raising an eyebrow or throwing a cutting look to the way one lights a cigarette or sways to a disco beat — were particularly key to creating character.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
The museum gets off with a bang by taking guests on a simulated trip to space in a high-tech elevator lined with pin-sharp ultra-HD screens and a floor which gently sways to simulate zero gravity.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Yet, across the water, a seemingly impenetrable wall of the invasive plants sways in the wind, several feet tall.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
The camera sways and various items around the room fall over.
—Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sways
Noun
-
May Help Reduce Cancer Risk Including figs as part of a balanced, nutrient-rich diet may have anti-cancer effects.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Rogers added that the effects would soon extend beyond the NNSA.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Klopp told a similar story to Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett, saying his childhood home was defined by a critical mix of influences.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
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The opposites-attract love story in A Brewed Awakening, Basham tells PEOPLE, draws from some familiar influences.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For now, cross-chain stablecoins like USDC on XDC represent useful additions to the corporate treasury toolkit—offering speed and cost advantages for specific use cases while requiring careful risk management and operational controls.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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With strong parental controls built right into the app, families can enjoy listening together with confidence and ease.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Endometriosis affects about 10% of people who have periods.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The recall affects about 357,000 products in addition to about 3,000 sold in Canada.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Despite that notable change, watching One Battle After Another is much like the experience of reading Pynchon, who lurches from high comedy to stomach-turning naturalism and punctuates plot-heavy sequences with little grace notes of character portraiture.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
24 Sep. 2025
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That film begins with charismatic bank robber Ryan Gosling in a thrilling motorcycle escape from the cops, and moves through several twists and turns, lurches forward in time, and holds Gosling at its heart as a man doing bad things for good reasons.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In astrology, Mercury governs the mind and communication, while Saturn represents boundaries, discipline and the lessons that come with experience.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The ordinance that governs this is 79-11, which says placing leaves out in the street per the city's guidelines isn't prohibited during the collection period.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Forecasters said flooding impacts may increase across western Jamaica next week.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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But the agency cautions WIC is not yet funded for fiscal year 2026 and shutdown impacts could be coming.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Another example is msg Global Solutions AG, whose Greenwashing Detector solution leverages generative AI to validate reports and detect potential greenwashing.—
Sophia Mendelsohn,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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FashFind leverages computer vision paired with machine learning algorithms to identify the unique attributes submitted products have—whether that’s color, fabric type, patterns, silhouette, length or otherwise.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sways. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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