to sway

Examples

• All

• Their feet moved rapidly, and their hips swayed to the movements of their feet.

  Academic text (2006)

• Ask the children to stand and sway with the music as they sing again.

  Academic text (2003)

• Watch them sway up and down, side to side.

  Slashening: The Final Beginning (2021)

• Then we sway back and forth to the music.

  Courageous (2011)

• When the wind blows, they sway together like two dancers.

  Battle Hymn (1957)

• Harry's body starts to sway gently as if he were about to get up.

  Fiction book (1990)

• A breeze from the ocean made them bounce and sway and filled the girls' nostrils with salt.

  Fiction book (1990)

• The same is true of women's jewelry, especially hair pendants, which sway with movements of the head.

  Academic text (2006)

• Both paintings show the cypresses swaying in the mistral against a wind-blown sky.

  Academic text (1993)

• As the music played, everyone began to sway gently in rhythm with the beat.

Synonyms

S

to shake

vsto sway

916 1.0

To move quickly from side to side or up and down

is a milder, slower form of side to side movement

S

to swing

vsto sway

408 1.0

Move back and forth while hanging from one point

is similar but applies to free slow side to side motion

R

to rock

vsto sway

230 1.0

To move gently back and forth to comfort or calm

is more general slow rhythmic movement not only soothing motion

V

to vibrate

vsto sway

91 2.8

To make very small, quick moves back and forth

is much slower and smoother rather than very rapid vibration

W

to wiggle

vsto sway

89 1.0

To move with small, quick movements from side to side or up and down

is slower and more flowing rather than small quick motions

Q

to quiver

vsto sway

47 4.5

To shake in small, quick movements because of fear, cold, or excitement

is rhythmic and controlled rather than tiny rapid trembling

J

to jiggle

vsto sway

46 3.2

To move something in short, quick shaking movements

is smoother and less jumpy rather than short rapid hops

F

to flutter

vsto sway

35 3.5

To move quickly and lightly back and forth, like wings or leaves

is slower and heavier rather than fast light fluttering motion

W

to waver

vsto sway

12 4.8

To move or shake in a slight, unsteady way

is steadier and more rhythmic rather than shaky or uncertain

O

to oscillate

vsto sway

8 6.5

Move back and forth in a steady rhythm like a fan

is slower and more gently rhythmic rather than mechanically regular

V

to vacillate

vsto sway

1 8.4

To move slowly back and forth like a boat or kite

is simpler side to side or back and forth rhythm

F

to flitter

vsto sway

1 6.9

To move quickly and lightly, like a small bird or moth

is more continuous and gentle rather than quick fluttering bursts

L

to librate

vsto sway

9.9

Move back and forth a little before stopping

is continuous rhythmic motion rather than a dying movement

S

to swail

vsto sway

• UK

9.9

To move gently because of wind, like tall grass

is general rhythmic motion not tied to wind or breeze

W

to wabble

vsto sway

8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

is steadier and more regular rather than irregular or loose

W

to wamble

vsto sway

• Archaic

9.9

To move unsteadily while rolling from side to side

is more evenly rhythmic rather than rolling or weaving unevenly

Phrasal Verbs

H

to hold sway

9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

Compounds

A

anti-sway bar

• Specialized

1 6.0

A metal bar under a car that reduces how much the car leans in turns

How Much

to lurch

34 5.6

to rock

230 1.0

to sway

77 2.4

tremble

23 2.7

to quiver

47 4.5

to wiggle

89 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology