1
as in boyfriend
a male romantic companion
a romanticized portrait of a bygone era of beauteous Southern belles and their gallant swains
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in lover
a man who courts a woman usually with the goal of marrying her
Grandma claims that she had several swains pursuing her, but it was only Grandpa who won her heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swain
Science emerges as a version of the pastoral, with the physicist as swain.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
The British actor finds the humor and sensitivity in his lustful swain, and his mellifluous voice is perfectly matched to Shakespeare’s prose.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Odette is a shape-shifter, from woman to swan, under sorcerer Rothbart’s spell, only to be broken when a swain pledges true love to her—Siegfried to the rescue.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
He’s never outgrown the image of himself as the swain, the young lover.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Kramer, once again showing infinite tact, dissuaded the swain.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Dec. 2023
Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth return for the fourth time as ace archer Everdeen and her pair of devoted swains, director Francis Lawrence is back for his third film, and screenwriters Peter Craig and Danny Strong mark this as their second effort.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2023
The old residents remember when San Luis Rey was the second locality in the county, and the feast of San Luis (26th August) was an important epoch, with it, carreras and bades, forming the chief topic of conversation with dusky swain and maiden for miles around.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2021
The hustling, athletic girl will forget the links and make sheep’s eyes at her amorous swain.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2022
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
The British actor finds the humor and sensitivity in his lustful swain, and his mellifluous voice is perfectly matched to Shakespeare’s prose.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Odette is a shape-shifter, from woman to swan, under sorcerer Rothbart’s spell, only to be broken when a swain pledges true love to her—Siegfried to the rescue.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
He’s never outgrown the image of himself as the swain, the young lover.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Kramer, once again showing infinite tact, dissuaded the swain.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Dec. 2023
Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth return for the fourth time as ace archer Everdeen and her pair of devoted swains, director Francis Lawrence is back for his third film, and screenwriters Peter Craig and Danny Strong mark this as their second effort.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2023
The old residents remember when San Luis Rey was the second locality in the county, and the feast of San Luis (26th August) was an important epoch, with it, carreras and bades, forming the chief topic of conversation with dusky swain and maiden for miles around.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2021
The hustling, athletic girl will forget the links and make sheep’s eyes at her amorous swain.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swain
Noun
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Grande met her current boyfriend, Ethan Slater — who plays the Munchkin Boq — on set.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
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Haack has since revealed a new love interest, sharing a snap with her new boyfriend, Christopher Larocca, earlier this month.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Not having sub-zero weather and a few feet of snow on the ground also improves access for a set of potential film lovers, especially those with physical or other disabilities.—
David Bloom,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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The shows draw gem lovers of all kinds, from consumers shopping for crystals to high-end designers like Lauren Harwell Godfrey and James de Givenchy of Taffin, who use the occasion to hunt for the components of their upcoming high jewelry collections.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Jenner has consistently supported her auteur beau’s press tour for his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown—including the awards circuit.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2025
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Jenner also attended the afterparty of the Los Angeles A Complete Unknown premiere in December, mingling with her beau’s co-stars and leaving the function with him hand-in-hand.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Other suitors could be Washington (where former exec Adam Peters is the G.M.) and Indianapolis.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, his wife and son have to contend with suitors seeking to replace him.—
Hilary Lewis,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Along with her relationship with fellow board members, Henyard’s support among Dolton residents also took a nosedive.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Kanye West called out Bhad Bhabie over her diss track aimed at fellow rapper Alabama Barker.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Chris Taylor is in the final year of his deal and still guaranteed at least $17 million, and Roberts has continued to talk up Taylor’s value as a utility man even if that appears slightly redundant.—
Fabian Ardaya,
The Athletic,
3 Mar. 2025
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Cincinnati utility man Spencer Steer could potentially begin the 2025 season on the injured list.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swain. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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