Phrase guide

hold sway

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To have the greatest influence (over someone or something); to be pre-eminent; to dominate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

be master; reign or rule

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: control, command

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: udržet si nadvládu — to have the greatest influence (over someone or something) — see also dominate
  • Czech: mít vliv — to have the greatest influence (over someone or something) — see also dominate
  • Czech: ovládat — to have the greatest influence (over someone or something) — see also dominate
  • Italian: dominare — to have the greatest influence (over someone or something) — see also dominate
  • Polish: wodzić rej — to have the greatest influence (over someone or something) — see also dominate
  • Russian: преобладать (preobladatʹ) — to have the greatest influence (over someone or something) — see also dominate
  • Swedish: dominera — to have the greatest influence (over someone or something) — see also dominate