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hold sway

VERB

govern

Synonyms

STRONGEST

administer carry out conduct control dictate guide manage oversee regulate supervise

STRONG

captain command direct execute head lead order overrule pilot reign render run steer superintend sway tyrannize

WEAK

assume command be in power be in the driver's seat call the shots call the signals exercise authority head up hold dominion hold office lay down the law occupy throne pull the strings serve the people wear the crown

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abandon leave mismanage neglect

STRONG

fail follow obey serve

WEAK

acquiesce agree allow comply consent give way permit surrender yield

VERB

predominate

Synonyms

STRONG

command dominate domineer govern manage outweigh overrule overshadow preponderate prevail reign rule tell

WEAK

carry weight get the upper hand

Antonyms

STRONG

follow serve submit surrender yield

VERB

reign

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dominate govern occupy predominate

STRONG

administer boss command domineer helm influence manage obtain overrule preponderate rule sit

WEAK

be in power be in the driver's seat be supreme head up hold power rule the roost run the show run things superabound wear the crown

Antonyms

STRONGEST

surrender yield

STRONG

follow mismanage submit

WEAK

serve

VERB

rule

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conduct control dominate lead order overrule prevail run take over

STRONG

administer bridle command curb decree dictate direct domineer guide predominate preponderate preside regulate reign restrain sway

WEAK

be in authority be in driver's seat be in power crack the whip hold the reins keep under one's thumb lay down the law rule the roost run the show sit on top of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

follow lose obey surrender

STRONG

misguide mislead mismanage neglect release serve submit

WEAK

plead

VERB

subjugate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conquer enslave

STRONG

coerce compel crush enthrall force overcome overthrow quell reduce rule subdue suppress tame triumph vanquish

WEAK

bear down beat down bring to heel bring to knees keep under thumb kick around put down reel back in rule over

Antonyms

STRONG

encourage fail give in let go lose release surrender win yield

WEAK

free liberate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s small, fast-attack boats hold sway in the strategic waterway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Fernández has said she will declare a state of emergency in areas where gangs hold sway and finish the construction of a high-security jail similar to the Cecot prison in El Salvador.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

Sure, AI is having a big impact, but in the broader U.S. economy, other factors still hold sway.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

“They may have large followings,” he added, “but they don’t seem to hold sway offline as much.”

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2024

On the Moon, the outside, catastrophic events hold sway; on Earth, the inside, slow processes dominate.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

hold sway

Example Sentences

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