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to sway

to sway

81 3.6
To cause someone to change their opinion or decision
  • verb
  • /sweɪ/
translation icon : influir en
  • The voters of Chicago will not let themselves be swayed by this unfortunate incident.
  • sway public opinion
  • sway voters
  • sway public opinion

You can't let that sort of sway how you how you view people.

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Examples

  • But you could sway her.

  • Even if the headline has little relevance to the article, it sways the reader's perception of the topic.

    Academic text (1997)
  • We must attempt to sway the General and his men.

  • And what is the pitch that you would make to try to sway them from this view?

  • This is clearly an attempt to sway public opinion - with a marketing stunt.

  • Did you think I would be swayed by the stars?

  • Now all you're really trying to do is sway that frame of reference.

  • They can sway the result of elections.

  • Why do you think that none of these revelations seem to sway his committed supporters?

  • It is essential to sway the committee members to support the new policy.

Synonyms

to convince
vsto sway
2.7

Make someone believe something is true or agree to do something

is broader and can use nonrational influence as well
to persuade
vsto sway
472 2.7

To make someone agree or do something by giving reasons

is wider, including other persuasive or subtle methods
to manipulate
vsto sway
382 6.1

To control people or things in a clever, often dishonest way

is neutral about honesty and can be sincere influence
to brainwash
vsto sway
118 7.3

To make someone accept different beliefs using pressure and tricks

is usually less extreme and does not reshape beliefs systematically
to entice
vsto sway
61 4.9

To persuade someone to do something by offering something they want

does not require offering rewards and can be purely argumentative
to win over
vsto sway
54 3.3

Get someone to support or agree with you

is more general, not always requiring active support
to induce
vsto sway
51 4.9

Persuade someone to do something

is specifically about changing opinions or decisions rather than only actions
to swing
vsto sway
  • Jargon
51 4.5

Make people change their opinion or a decision

can be milder and influence without decisive outcome change
to prejudice
vsto sway
33 6.1

To make someone form an unfair opinion before they know enough

can be balanced influence that considers facts and fairness
18 3.0

Make someone think differently about something

can include subtle pressures rather than only direct change
to cajole
vsto sway
15 7.7

To persuade someone to do something by gentle talk and praise

is broader and can include stronger or nonverbal pressure
to solicit
vsto sway
  • NSFW
7 7.7

Urge someone to do something illegal

covers lawful or neutral influence not aimed at incitement
to bias
vsto sway
6 4.9

To make someone have an unfair opinion

is general influence that may be fair or neutral
to propagandize
vsto sway
  • Literature
5 9.1

To try to make many people believe false or one-sided information

is individual influence rather than organised mass campaigning
to bring around
vsto sway
  • Informal
3 3.6

To cause someone to change their mind

often involves softer or slower shifts rather than direct change
to twist someone's arm
vsto sway
  • Informal
1 4.4

Get someone to agree or do something by pressuring them

can instead rely on gentle suggestion or influence
to jawbone
vsto sway
  • Literature
1 7.9

Talk strongly to someone to try to persuade them

can work more privately or without public pressure
to bring round
vsto sway
  • UK
4.4

To persuade someone to accept your idea or plan

can be less direct and more about general influence
to swing over
vsto sway
5.8

Make someone change their opinion or decision

can be gentler and produce gradual opinion shifts
7.1

Persuade someone to do what you want

is more neutral and may not involve domination or force
to earwig
vsto sway
  • UK
9.8

To whisper to someone in secret to make them agree

is usually open influence rather than hidden persuasion

Phrasal Verbs

9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

Compounds

anti-sway bar
  • Specialized
1 6.0

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

How Persuasive

to persuade
472 2.7
to sway
81 3.6
to nudge
24 4.1
to suggest
1.6

Surface Forms

sway infinitive
swayed past
swayed past participle
swaying present participle
sways third person singular

Etymology

Sway meaning 'to influence' comes from the same idea of bending: a push that turns a branch can also 'turn' a person's mind. That's why to sway someone is to make them change their opinion or decision.