verb
Uncommon
sway
SWAY
Sway (verb) means to move slowly and rhythmically from side to side. Example: “The trees swayed gently in the evening breeze.”
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."
"The tall grass began to sway as the wind picked up across the field."
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."
"Nothing you say will sway me, because I have already made up my mind."
noun
1
Power or influence over someone or something.
"The union still holds considerable sway over factory workers."
"The old headmaster still held sway over decisions made at the school."
"Fashion magazines once held great sway over what teenagers chose to wear."
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- sways
- Third person singular
- sways
- Past tense
- swayed
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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.
Related words
Rhymes for sway
See all rhymes for sway →Frequently asked questions
What does “sway” mean?
The word “sway” means to move slowly and rhythmically from side to side. In plain terms, to rock gently back and forth, or to have the power to change someone's mind.
How do you pronounce “sway”?
“Sway” is pronounced SWAY (/ˈsweɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “sway” in a sentence?
Here is “sway” used in a sentence: “The trees swayed gently in the evening breeze.”
What is another word for “sway”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sway” include careen, rock, waver and play.
What part of speech is “sway”?
Depending on how it is used, “sway” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sway” come from?
The word “sway” comes from Middle English. 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.
Is “sway” a common word?
“Sway” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sway” have?
“Sway” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move slowly and rhythmically from side to side.
What is the difference between sway and hold sway?
Sway as a verb means to move slowly and rhythmically from side to side, or to influence someone's opinion or decision. The phrase hold sway uses sway as a noun meaning power or influence, describing someone or something that has control over a situation, such as a leader who holds sway over a region.
What is the difference between sway and persuade?
Sway suggests influencing someone's opinion or decision, sometimes gradually or subtly, while persuade often implies a more direct, deliberate effort to convince someone through argument or reasoning. Sway can also describe physical or emotional influence rather than just changing a stated opinion.
What is a common collocation with sway?
Common collocations include sway an audience, sway public opinion, and hold sway, all reflecting the sense of influence or power over decisions or attitudes.
