1
as in boyfriend
a male romantic companion
a romanticized portrait of a bygone era of beauteous Southern belles and their gallant swains
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in lover
a man who courts a woman usually with the goal of marrying her
Grandma claims that she had several swains pursuing her, but it was only Grandpa who won her heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swain
Science emerges as a version of the pastoral, with the physicist as swain.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
The British actor finds the humor and sensitivity in his lustful swain, and his mellifluous voice is perfectly matched to Shakespeare’s prose.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Odette is a shape-shifter, from woman to swan, under sorcerer Rothbart’s spell, only to be broken when a swain pledges true love to her—Siegfried to the rescue.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
He’s never outgrown the image of himself as the swain, the young lover.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Kramer, once again showing infinite tact, dissuaded the swain.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Dec. 2023
Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth return for the fourth time as ace archer Everdeen and her pair of devoted swains, director Francis Lawrence is back for his third film, and screenwriters Peter Craig and Danny Strong mark this as their second effort.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2023
The old residents remember when San Luis Rey was the second locality in the county, and the feast of San Luis (26th August) was an important epoch, with it, carreras and bades, forming the chief topic of conversation with dusky swain and maiden for miles around.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2021
The hustling, athletic girl will forget the links and make sheep’s eyes at her amorous swain.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2022
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
The British actor finds the humor and sensitivity in his lustful swain, and his mellifluous voice is perfectly matched to Shakespeare’s prose.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Odette is a shape-shifter, from woman to swan, under sorcerer Rothbart’s spell, only to be broken when a swain pledges true love to her—Siegfried to the rescue.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
He’s never outgrown the image of himself as the swain, the young lover.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Kramer, once again showing infinite tact, dissuaded the swain.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Dec. 2023
Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth return for the fourth time as ace archer Everdeen and her pair of devoted swains, director Francis Lawrence is back for his third film, and screenwriters Peter Craig and Danny Strong mark this as their second effort.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2023
The old residents remember when San Luis Rey was the second locality in the county, and the feast of San Luis (26th August) was an important epoch, with it, carreras and bades, forming the chief topic of conversation with dusky swain and maiden for miles around.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2021
The hustling, athletic girl will forget the links and make sheep’s eyes at her amorous swain.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swain
Noun
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Haack has since revealed a new love interest, sharing a snap with her new boyfriend, Christopher Larocca, earlier this month.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
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Grande met her current boyfriend, Ethan Slater — who plays the Munchkin Boq — on set.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Not having sub-zero weather and a few feet of snow on the ground also improves access for a set of potential film lovers, especially those with physical or other disabilities.—
David Bloom,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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This vibrant destination, filled with dramatic cliffs and sweeping views of the Walnut Street Bridge, will tug on the heart strings of both nature lovers and the city enthusiasts.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Bridget’s old on-again, off-again boss/beau Daniel Cleaver (played by the gloriously incorrigible Hugh Grant) drifts in and out of the story.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
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In February 2024, Deutch shared a sweet Instagram carousel of photos with her beau in honor of his birthday.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Of course, even the most cantankerous player can have his suitors when his play is of a certain standard, and Acosta is among the best No. 10s in one of the few leagues that caters to the specialized role.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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That October performance only attracted more suitors in free agency.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Kanye West called out Bhad Bhabie over her diss track aimed at fellow rapper Alabama Barker.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Along with her relationship with fellow board members, Henyard’s support among Dolton residents also took a nosedive.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The officer repeatedly instructed the elderly man to drop the gun, and when backup officers arrived and issued the same command, the man continued to aim the weapon at them.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2025
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The original Captain American, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), was defined as an relentlessly motivated and deeply moral man whose slender physique stopped him from fighting for justice.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swain. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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