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

It’s unclear how much sway Rios had on voters, but the endorsements appeared to violate a federal law from 1954 that prohibits religious organizations and nonprofits from endorsing or opposing political candidates, which President Trump may once again attempt to repeal amid Republican control of Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

That could matter if Vance has another change of heart and tries to sway his boss.

From Los Angeles Times

Few people had greater sway over the economics of the internet in the social media era.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s possible that this reflects the sway that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has exercised over Trump, who has promised to place RFK Jr. in a policymaking role over healthcare.

From Los Angeles Times

Even if Californians had little chance to sway the presidential race, they wanted to take their stance on what they saw as a historical election, with many voting for the first time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bend
• lean
• swing
• waver
• wobble