sway

[ swey ]

verb (used without object)

1. to move or swing to and fro, as something fixed at one end or resting on a support.

   Synonyms: wave

2. to move or incline to one side or in a particular direction.
3. to incline in opinion, sympathy, tendency, etc.:

   She swayed toward conservatism.

   Synonyms: tend, bend, lean

4. to fluctuate or vacillate, as in opinion:

   His ideas swayed this way and that.

5. to wield power; exercise rule.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to move to and fro or to incline from side to side.
2. to cause to move to one side or in a particular direction.
3. Nautical. to hoist or raise (a yard, topmast, or the like) (usually followed by up ).
4. to cause to fluctuate or vacillate.
5. to cause (the mind, emotions, etc., or a person) to incline or turn in a specified way; influence.
6. to cause to swerve, as from a purpose or a course of action:

   He swayed them from their plan.

7. to dominate; direct.
8. to wield, as a weapon or scepter.
9. to rule; govern.

noun

1. the act of swaying; swaying movement.
2. rule; dominion:

   He held all Asia in his sway.

3. dominating power or influence:

   Many voters were under his sway.

sway

/ sweɪ /

verb

1. usually intr to swing or cause to swing to and fro
2. usually intr to lean or incline or cause to lean or incline to one side or in different directions in turn
3. usually intr to vacillate or cause to vacillate between two or more opinions
4. to be influenced or swerve or influence or cause to swerve to or from a purpose or opinion
5. tr nautical to hoist (a yard, mast, or other spar)
6. archaic.
   to rule or wield power (over)
7. archaic.
   tr to wield (a weapon)

noun

1. control; power
2. a swinging or leaning movement
3. archaic.
   dominion; governing authority
4. hold sway
   to be master; reign

Derived Forms

• ˈswayful, adjective
• ˈswayable, adjective
• ˈswayer, noun

Other Words From

• swaya·ble adjective
• swayer noun
• swaying·ly adverb
• self-sway noun
• un·swaya·ble adjective
• un·swaying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sway¹

First recorded in 1300–50; (for the verb) Middle English sweyen, from Old Norse sveigja “to bend, sway” (transitive); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sway¹

C16: probably from Old Norse sveigja to bend; related to Dutch zwaaien, Low German swājen

Idioms and Phrases

see hold sway .

Synonym Study

See swing ¹.

Example Sentences

By the end of first period, he had made up his mind, swayed by another running back who did big things for the Bruins.

From Los Angeles Times

Californians, who have historically supported efforts to raise the minimum wage, were not swayed this time around.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s power to sway people has always been multifaceted.

From Salon

We read far too much into body language and demeanour, can be swayed by a slap at a weigh-in or live in a fantasy land powered by nostalgia.

From BBC

In its interim report into infant formula, the CMA suggested better education about formula so that parents are not swayed by undue loyalty due to advertising by a brand.

From BBC

Related Words

• bend
• lean
• swing
• waver
• wobble