sway
/sweɪ
/verb
1Move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side: [no object]: he swayed slightly on his feet (as adjective swaying) swaying palm trees [with object]: wind rattled and swayed the trees...
- Guitarist McGarvey sways backwards and forwards on his wah-wah pedal as the nine-piece band with full horn section segues seamlessly from Shaft to Bullitt.
- When the length of the sentence was then announced, Coltman appeared visibly stunned, swaying backwards and forwards.
- The lanterns were loosely hanging on strings through the cherry trees, slowly swaying in the gentle breeze.
Synonyms
swing, shake, oscillate, rock, undulate, move from side to side, move to and fro, move back and forth
stagger, wobble, rock, lurch, reel, roll, list, stumble, pitch, keel, veer, swerve
waver, fluctuate, vacillate, oscillate, alternate, vary, see-saw, yo-yo, equivocate, hesitate, shilly-shally, go from one extreme to the other;
British hum and haw
informal wobble, blow hot and cold
2 [with object] Control or influence (a person or course of action): he’s easily swayed by other people...
- The trouble is a strong leader with persuasive oratory can easily sway simple folk who have little ability or even inclination to make up their own minds on issues.
- At the age she was then, she was easily swayed in one direction or another and Mr Jones was a cinch.
- Consequently, if you are easily swayed, then never try to engage in polite conversation but hang up the phone immediately.
Synonyms
influence, affect, bias, persuade, prevail on, bring round, talk round, win over, convert;
manipulate, bend, mould
informal nobble
2.1 literary Rule; govern: now let the Lord forever reign and sway us as he will
Synonyms
rule, govern, dominate, control, direct, guide
noun [mass noun]
1A rhythmical movement from side to side: the easy sway of her hips...
- His rhythmic sway and conservative movements reflect his roots-based origins.
- I could feel every sway of Will's hips, and every suggestive movement he made with his feet.
- The breeze whipped through the room and made fire sway side to side over splintered wood as it shrieked and sweltered, then fell.
Synonyms
swing, sweep, wave, roll, shake, movement, oscillation, undulation
2Rule; control: the country was under the sway of rival warlords...
- Antioch held Edessa and Tripoli under its sway and was ruled by Normans.
- What gives him the right to hold so much sway and power over Montserrat and the lives of Montserratians?
- By 1018, the whole of Bulgaria had fallen once more under the sway of Byzantine rule.
Synonyms
jurisdiction, rule, government, sovereignty, dominion, control, command, power, authority, ascendancy, domination, mastery
control, domination, power, authority, supremacy, influence, leadership, direction, leverage
informal pull, clout
Phrases
hold sway
Origin
Middle English: corresponding in sense to Low German swājen 'be blown to and fro' and Dutch zwaaien 'swing, walk in a tottering way'.