sway

motion

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July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

"Sway" refers to a motion, typically a slow, rhythmic back-and-forth movement, like trees swaying in the breeze. It can also describe an unsteady, side-to-side motion, such as a ski lift swaying in the wind.12

Beyond physical motion, "sway" can also mean to influence or affect someone's feelings or actions. This can be a subtle influence, like politicians being swayed by public opinion, or a more controlling one, akin to ruling or governing a region. The word originates from Middle English and is related to words meaning to fall or swoon.213

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Ship motions in response to the sea
…about a vertical axis) and sway (sideways motion). More generally, motions are possible in all six degrees of freedom, the other four being roll (rotation about a longitudinal axis), pitch (rotation about a transverse axis), heave (vertical motion), and surge (longitudinal motion superimposed on the steady propulsive motion). All six…
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…about a vertical axis) and sway (sideways motion). More generally, motions are possible in all six degrees of freedom, the other four being roll (rotation about a longitudinal axis), pitch (rotation about a transverse axis), heave (vertical motion), and surge (longitudinal motion superimposed on the steady propulsive motion). All six…
Read More