SWAYING Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

swaying 1 of 3

adjective

as in lilting

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Dissimilar Words

swaying

2 of 3

noun

as in influencing

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swaying

3 of 3

verb

present participle of sway

as in affecting

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response how can you not be swayed by that precious kitten, meowing as if to say, "Please take me home with you?"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lurching

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions the way the ski lift was swaying in the wind made me nervous

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in governing

archaic to exercise authority or power over an epic novel set in the days when Rome swayed the Western world

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of swaying

Adjective

As the sun set below blush clouds, the gently swaying crowd matched the R&B singer’s sultry energy. — Anna Haines, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2025

Noun

Gerber was just 18 at the time, and appeared in the cover swaying and singing with Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026 To me, what emerges from this swaying feels more natural than simply forging ahead with a predetermined, easily understood logic. — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Jordyn was admitted without delay, and before receiving her epidural, Haley and Kelsy stayed close, offering steady support through hip pressure, gentle swaying and laughter. — Christina Cardona, USA Today, 15 July 2026 During those exercises, the arresting officer wrote that Zenk showed multiple signs of impairment, including balance issues, swaying and difficulty following instructions. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Residents described evacuating swaying buildings and seeing entire walls collapse. — Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 25 June 2026 People evacuated swaying buildings and homes in the capital, Caracas. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 Naturally, all eyes were on Swift for much of the night, and the unapologetic fan of popular music did not disappoint — singing along, cheering, swaying, even holding on to her guy for brief moments. — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026 No, in these cases, there wasn’t any successful swaying of opinion. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 1 June 2026

Verb

The Daisy Chain crowd could be seen holding up their lights and swaying to the music. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Everyone seemingly watches them — and a little tennis — with a $23 Honey Deuce in one hand, swaying to DJ Trizz’s mixes on the sound system. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Even the unofficial mayor of the city, filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, is swaying in the corner. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026 Each accommodation includes a private balcony or terrace, creating a quiet connection to Pacific views, swaying palms, and the natural rhythm of Punta de Mita. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026 Styled after a tropical paradise with swaying palm trees, Lost Island Waterpark offers endless aquatic fun during its summertime opening season, with slides, rides, and attractions. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026 After a few hours under the hot sun, there was no better cool down than swaying to Babyface classics. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 22, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 Fans bond by singing the same words, tunes, and rhythms together, swaying, waving or pumping fists in unison. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 18 July 2026 Heads start nodding, bodies begin swaying, strangers lock into the same cadence, the same emotional vibes. — Bija Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swaying

Adjective

For edible souvenirs, don’t miss Carosello Pasta, a specialty grocer and pastificio (Italy’s lilting word for pasta factory) that sources Midwest grains to craft pasta of every shape and shade.

— Stacey Brugeman, Midwest Living, 27 Aug. 2026
La Vierge de Fer contrasts the delicate fruit and a lily note with the screech of cold metal, sparkling aldehydes, and lilting sandalwood.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of lilting

Noun

When students graduate, they'll be prepared for roles in content strategy, digital influencing, brand development, social media management and audience engagement across industries.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
Nicolas Matthew Scelfo of Brooklyn, New York, faces up to 10 years in prison after being charged with influencing, impeding, and retaliating against a federal officer by threat.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026

Definition of influencing

Verb

The United States, which had been lurching toward entry in the Second World War, was suddenly and inescapably thrust into global conflict.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Republicans see Democrats lurching to the left and embracing socialism as an opening to link their opponents to the far more radical communism.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of lurching

Verb

School district rules While California has some laws governing electric bicycles, school districts may have varying rules.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Their families, educations, personalities, professional backgrounds, governing styles and political skills could not have been more different.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of governing

Adjective

The spot was a parody commercial promoting the musical group’s ability to perform anywhere, from Wendy’s grand openings to Bar Mitzvahs.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
The home release comes less than two months after the musical adventure opened in theaters on July 10.

— Anna Tingley, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of musical

Noun

An agentic system pursues a goal across multiple steps—retrieving data, calling APIs, applying business rules, making decisions and handing off exceptions—with limited human prompting along the way.

— Tammy Hawes, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
That’s the future Google and other tech giants predict, with AI agents soon handling tasks on our phones without constant prompting, potentially freeing us up to do other things.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of prompting

Verb

Running backs impressing The 49ers appear to have their best, and deepest, running back group since Christian McCaffrey’s arrival.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international joined on his 24th birthday, before making his Premier League debut just five days later, impressing at right-back during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Tyneside.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of impressing

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Style

“Swaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swaying. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of swaying

adjective

noun

verb

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