hold sway
Exert dominant control
To hold sway is to have dominant influence or control over something or someone.
A monarch holds sway over a kingdom; an idea can hold sway over public opinion.
The phrase suggests authority that shapes outcomes: For decades, behaviorism held sway in psychology.
The old traditions still hold sway in rural areas.
Energy transfer rate
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
- influencePower to affect others
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
supremacy · sovereignty · hegemony · ascendancy · predominance · dominion · rule · reign
Power to affect others
- charismaMagnetic personal appeal
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
weight · impact · pull · standing · eloquence · magnetism · appeal · conviction
power
Energy transfer rate
command · supremacy · sovereignty · hegemony · ascendancy · predominance · dominion · rule · reign · governance
influence
Power to affect others
- charismaMagnetic personal appeal
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
reputation · weight · impact · pull · standing · eloquence · magnetism · appeal · conviction · gravitas
- leadership verbslead, command, direct, manage, supervise
- power idiomspull strings, call the shots, throw weight around, power play, upper hand
- powerauthority, electric power, nuclear power, solar power, wind power