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View synonyms for sway

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 byup ).

  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)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. control; power

  2. a swinging or leaning movement

  3. archaic,  dominion; governing authority

  4. to be master; reign

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • swayable adjective
  • swayer noun
  • swayingly adverb
  • self-sway noun
  • unswayable adjective
  • unswaying adjective
  • swayful adjective
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sway1

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

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Synonym Study

See swing 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Will previous calls sway Rangers as Martin pressure mounts?

From BBC

The government also holds little sway in Suweida, where tensions with the predominantly Druze population have remained high since the sectarian violence there three months ago.

From BBC

Turn this one on, and in no time you’ll find yourself swaying side to side, daydreaming about the love you never expected but can’t imagine letting go.

California and other states sued to block that move and won, but the administration wasn’t swayed from the strategy, Bonta said — as evidenced by more recent events.

If voters approve, California could begin considering systems where taxpayer dollars help fund candidates for public office, which supporters say diminishes the power of wealthy donors to sway the outcome of races.

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