verb
sway
SWAY
verb
1
To move slowly and rhythmically from side to side.
"The trees swayed gently in the evening breeze."
"She swayed to the music with her eyes closed."
2
To influence someone's opinion or decision.
"His passionate speech swayed several undecided voters."
"Don't let the salesman sway you into buying something you don't need."
noun
1
Power or influence over someone or something.
"The union still holds considerable sway over factory workers."
How to Use Sway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo rock gently back and forth, or to have the power to change someone's mind.
Common pairings
sway someone's opinion
hold sway
sway back and forth
Word Forms
swayed past tense, sways plural, sways singular
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The trees _____ gently in the evening breeze.
Etymology
From an older English word meaning "to bend or bow," tracing back through Middle English to a Germanic root related to swinging and swaying motion.