hold sway Definition

sway
verb swayed, swaying

tr & intr
1. To swing, or make something swing, backwards and forwards or from side to side, especially slowly and smoothly.

Thesaurus: fluctuate, oscillate, waver, swagger, swing, lurch, swerve, veer, bend, lean.
tr & intr
2. To lean or bend, or make something lean or bend, to one side or in one direction.

Thesaurus: influence, persuade, guide, incline, induce, affect, direct, impress.
3. To persuade someone to take a particular view or decision, or dissuade them from a course of action.
intr
4. To incline towards a particular opinion.

Form: sway towards something (usually)
intr
5. To waver between two opinions or decisions.

noun

1. A swaying motion.

Thesaurus: undulation, oscillation.
2. Control or influence.

Thesaurus: authority, power, jurisdiction, rule, sovereignty, dominion, command, predominance, rule.

Derivative: swaying
noun, adj

Idiom: hold sway

To have authority or influence.
Thesaurus: govern, reign, rule, control, dominate.

Etymology: 15c in these senses: perhaps from Norse sveigja to bend.