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)

noun

1. control; power

2. a swinging or leaning movement

3. archaic,  dominion; governing authority

4. to be master; reign

Other Word Forms

• swayful adjective
• swayable adjective
• swayer noun
• swayingly adverb
• self-sway noun
• unswayable adjective
• unswaying 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

The laborious method of cartooning is what carries enough sway to move the needle.

From Salon

Newsom can exercise political sway over its moves but, aside from his vote, has no formal power over the body’s decisions.

From Los Angeles Times

Having a new, beautifully restored venue to perform and congregate in might sway fans’ and artists’ decisions just a bit.

From Los Angeles Times

He reclines into his couch, one arm flung lazily behind his head, while the greens of his English garden sway in the waning summer light.

From Los Angeles Times

“You are my sun and my calm,” the mariachis sang as Cruz swayed with his daughter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bend 
• lean 
• swing 
• waver 
• wobble