hold sway
Definition
› to have power or a very strong influence: Fundamentalist beliefs hold sway over whole districts, ensuring the popularity of religious leaders.Controlling and being in charge
(Definition of hold sway from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- assume verb (TAKE CONTROL)
- assumption noun
- authoritative adjective
- be (like) putty in sb's hands idiom
- be in the driving seat idiom
- commanding adjective (WITH AUTHORITY)
- cynical adjective
- dictate verb (GIVE ORDERS)
- have sb by the balls idiom
- have sb eating out of your hand idiom
- have sb in the palm of your hand idiom
- have/hold the whip hand idiom
- high-handed adjective
- play God idiom
- police verb
- possess verb (CONTROL)
- predominate verb
- preside verb
- rein sth in phrasal verb (ACTIVITY)
- skipper verb
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