'Sway' definitions:

Definition of 'sway'

(from WordNet)
noun
Controlling influence
noun
Pitching dangerously to one side [syn: rock, careen, sway, tilt]
verb
Move back and forth or sideways; "the ship was rocking"; "the tall building swayed"; "She rocked back and forth on her feet" [syn: rock, sway, shake]
verb
Move or walk in a swinging or swaying manner; "He swung back" [syn: swing, sway]
verb
Win approval or support for; "Carry all before one"; "His speech did not sway the voters" [syn: carry, persuade, sway]
verb
Cause to move back and forth; "rock the cradle"; "rock the baby"; "the wind swayed the trees gently" [syn: rock, sway]

Definition of 'Sway'

From: GCIDE
  • Sway \Sway\ (sw[=a]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swaying.] [OE. sweyen, Icel. sveigja, akin to E. swing; cf. D. zwaaijen to wield, swing. See Swing, and cf. Swag, v. i.]
  • 1. To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to sway the scepter. [1913 Webster]
  • As sparkles from the anvil rise, When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To influence or direct by power and authority; by persuasion, or by moral force; to rule; to govern; to guide. [1913 Webster]
  • The will of man is by his reason swayed. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • She could not sway her house. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • This was the race To sway the world, and land and sea subdue. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To cause to incline or swing to one side, or backward and forward; to bias; to turn; to bend; warp; as, reeds swayed by wind; judgment swayed by passion. [1913 Webster]
  • As bowls run true by being made On purpose false, and to be swayed. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]
  • Let not temporal and little advantages sway you against a more durable interest. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Naut.) To hoist; as, to sway up the yards. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To bias; rule; govern; direct; influence; swing; move; wave; wield. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Sway'

From: GCIDE
  • Sway \Sway\, n.
  • 1. The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon. [1913 Webster]
  • With huge two-handed sway brandished aloft. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of desires. --A. Tucker. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Preponderance; turn or cast of balance. [1913 Webster]
  • Expert When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway Of battle. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Rule; dominion; control. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
  • When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honor is a private station. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Rule; dominion; power; empire; control; influence; direction; preponderance; ascendency. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Sway'

From: GCIDE
  • Sway \Sway\ (sw[=a]), v. i.
  • 1. To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline. [1913 Webster]
  • The balance sways on our part. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To have weight or influence. [1913 Webster]
  • The example of sundry churches . . . doth sway much. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To bear sway; to rule; to govern. [1913 Webster]
  • Hadst thou swayed as kings should do. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'sway'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Sway'