# swayed

/ˈsweɪd/ (US) · /swˈeɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swayed
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

feeling influenced or changed by someone else's opinion or emotions. It can also describe something that has been moved slowly from side to side.

For teachers: influenced or persuaded to change an opinion or decision; alternatively, moved rhythmically or unsteadily from side to side. Often functions as a participial adjective following a linking verb.

## Examples

- She felt swayed by his emotional speech.
- The committee members were swayed by the new evidence presented during the final hour of the hearing.
- The tall grass swayed in the breeze, creating a rhythmic motion that mirrored the shifting opinions of the crowd listening to the orator.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after 'be', 'feel', or 'remain'. When describing persuasion, it is frequently followed by the preposition 'by'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.