sway 1 of 2

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as in influence
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sway

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sway contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sway are authority, command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, and power. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

When can authority be used instead of sway?

The meanings of authority and sway largely overlap; however, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

In what contexts can command take the place of sway?

While in some cases nearly identical to sway, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When would control be a good substitute for sway?

In some situations, the words control and sway are roughly equivalent. However, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When could dominion be used to replace sway?

The synonyms dominion and sway are sometimes interchangeable, but dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When is jurisdiction a more appropriate choice than sway?

The words jurisdiction and sway are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

When is it sensible to use power instead of sway?

The words power and sway can be used in similar contexts, but power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sway
Noun
In practice, Musk has also seemingly been granted the authority to regulate agencies that hold sway over his companies. Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 17 Feb. 2025 The village will undergo shifts of its own, but an early sequence of burial and mourning rituals around their grandparents underlines the traditions that still hold sway, with public laments and white mourning hats. Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
Speaking at the White House next to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump insisted he could not be swayed to back away from the retaliatory tariffs that have roiled the financial markets. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025 Recommended Safety As Trump proves unreliable, Europe rushes to firm up defenses on its own Saudi oil also gives the crown prince sway over the global supply of crude and its price. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sway
Noun
  • That economic footprint is matched by political and organizational influence.
    Ronak D. Desai, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Wisconsin's Supreme Court race has shattered fundraising records and drawn major out-of-state influence.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The brands that thrive in this environment will be those that keep this reality in perspective, and leverage adversity not as a roadblock but instead as an opportunity to innovate and lead.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Your other option is to use the ground as leverage and push the handle down.
    Simon Hill, WIRED, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Natural gas has the opportunity to compete with coal, diesel, and other inefficient power sources across the globe, delivering cleaner and cheaper power.
    Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Trump has already tested the bounds of the Constitution governing presidential power several times in the first months of his second term.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Wang and his crew will conduct 22 research experiments centered on how spaceflight and microgravity affect the human body that will provide insights for future long-duration missions deep into the cosmos.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
  • A lot of Maryland residents who enjoy their summer at the ocean might be oblivious to how this change might affect their upcoming vacations.
    Gretchen Holland, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But the ruling did little to herald any political stability in the country, which has lurched from crisis to crisis.
    Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
  • For the last six weeks, Americans have been yanked and ghosted, lurched and launched with a merciless urgency.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Its governing body is a Board of Regents, whose members include the Vice President, the Chief Justice of the United States, three Senators, three Representatives and nine citizens.
    Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Any kind of responsible management would require unprecedented international cooperation, potentially including a new multinational body to govern geoengineering.
    Brett Simpson, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Following a postponement, these tariffs are expected to come into effect around the middle of April.
    Lim Hui Jie,Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
  • For decades, ever since the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA went into effect in the early 1990s, the automakers have operated as if the United States, Mexico and Canada are a single country.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The move seemed to seal his fate, as Brady took top control and dominated another round.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sway. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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