sway
/sweɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /sweɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈswā/ (ame, mw)
sway — verb
- swaypresent simple I / you / we / they
- swayshe / she / it
- swayedpast simple
- swaying-ing form
1. to lean or swing gently from one side toward the other and back again, usually i
to lean or swing gently from one side toward the other and back again, usually in a slow, repeated rhythm
The tall palm trees swayed gently in the warm ocean breeze at sunset.
adverb: gently, context: nature/wind
Diego felt dizzy after the long bus ride and swayed on his feet before grabbing a chair.
sway on one's feet — unsteady standing
The children held hands and swayed back and forth to the slow rhythm of the music.
Mei-Ling watched the fishing boat sway with the waves beyond the harbour wall.
- stay still
remain in one position without moving
- stand firm
remain steady and upright without wavering
文法句型
sway + adverb/preposition
sway back and forth
用法筆記
This sense always describes a physical back-and-forth or side-to-side motion of the subject itself. The subject is often a living thing (person, animal, tree) or something tall and narrow.
常見錯誤
2. to push, pull, or shake something so that it moves slowly from one side to the o
to push, pull, or shake something so that it moves slowly from one side to the other or changes its position or direction
A sudden gust of wind swayed the heavy branches of the oak tree over the garden wall.
passive-adjacent: direct object = tree branch
Kwame swayed the ladder away from the wall before climbing up to fix the roof.
The train braked hard and the sudden stop swayed the passengers standing in the aisle.
Fatima swayed the crying baby gently in her arms until he fell asleep.
- steady
to hold or make something stable and unmoving
文法句型
sway + object
be swayed by + force/noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice when the force or cause is emphasised: 'The tree was swayed by the wind.' The agent is usually a physical force (wind, movement) or a person deliberately moving an object.
常見錯誤
3. to change someone's opinion, decision, or loyalty by applying pressure, argument
to change someone's opinion, decision, or loyalty by applying pressure, argument, or emotional appeal, causing them to lean toward a different side
Oliver tried to sway the committee members by presenting new evidence about the project's costs.
try to sway + person + by + method
Clara was not swayed by the salesman's promise of a huge discount and walked away from the deal.
passive: be swayed by + argument/person
The candidate's heartfelt speech swayed many undecided voters in the final days before the election.
Noa's friends tried to sway her into staying in Taipei instead of moving abroad for graduate school.
- discourage
to persuade someone not to do something
- deter
to make someone decide not to act, often through fear or doubt
文法句型
sway + person
be swayed by + argument/person
sway + person + into + doing
用法筆記
Very common in the passive voice ('be swayed by'), especially when emphasising that someone resisted or yielded to influence. Often used with a negated verb to show someone was not influenced: 'He was not swayed by their arguments.'
常見錯誤
sway — noun
1. the power or authority to direct what other people think, believe, or do — for e
the power or authority to direct what other people think, believe, or do — for example, a leader's hold over a community or an idea's grip on a population
The old religious leader held great sway over the villagers for more than forty years.
collocation: hold sway over
Jack fell under the sway of a coach who pushed him to train harder every day.
collocation: under the sway of
Traditional customs still hold sway in many rural parts of the island despite modern changes.
As a young journalist, Amara dreamed of holding intellectual sway over public opinion in her country.
- powerlessness
lack of ability to influence others
文法句型
hold sway (over)
under the sway of
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expressions 'hold sway (over someone/something)' or 'under the sway of someone/something'. It is not used as a simple countable noun — you would not say 'He has a sway over them.' Instead say 'He holds sway over them.'
常見錯誤
2. a slow, gentle back-and-forth or side-to-side movement, especially of something
a slow, gentle back-and-forth or side-to-side movement, especially of something tall, hanging, or floating
The gentle sway of the train carriage made Sofia feel sleepy on the long ride home.
the sway of + noun (source of motion)
Jun watched the steady sway of the bamboo stalks in the morning wind from his kitchen window.
Deepak felt the slow sway of the ship beneath his feet as it crossed the quiet bay.
The dancer held a long, slow sway that matched the violin melody perfectly.
- stillness
complete absence of movement
文法句型
the sway of + noun
a slow sway
用法筆記
Used as an uncountable or singular noun describing the characteristic gentle motion of an object. Often occurs in the pattern 'the sway of [something]' where the thing named is the source or container of the motion.