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
But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
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
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swain
Noun
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And, as a mom herself, having married her high school boyfriend Chris Seel, Hailey's feelings are even more complicated.—
Ruth Chenetz,
CBS News,
31 May 2025
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Prosecutors say the former finance professor hit her boyfriend of about two years with her black Lexus in a drunken rage and left him in the snow.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Here are five must-see spots for literature fiends in Istanbul: Pera Palace Hotel Pera Palace is most well-known for literature lovers as the hotel where Agatha Christie allegedly wrote Murder on the Orient Express.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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And that’s where many younger Millennials and Gen Z music lovers first fell in love with the artform.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Olsen sparked engagement buzz when, in the summer of 2019, she was spotted rocking a dark brown band while out on a movie and dinner date with her beau in Los Angeles.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Gracie Hunt has gone public with a new beau who has strong and long-time ties to Chiefs Kingdom.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The film follows Dakota Johnson, playing a matchmaker in New York City, who is caught between an ex-boyfriend portrayed by Chris Evans and a handsome and rich new suitor (Pedro Pascal).—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
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As much as the women have to meet their suitors' standards, so too should the guys.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The only lights were from a few fellow early risers with their headlamps bobbing around in the dark.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
21 May 2025
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In previous downturns, every additional dollar spent on SNAP generates about $1.54 in returns to the economy, according to Elaine Waxman, senior fellow at the Urban Institute’s tax and income support division.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
Noun
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As Rusby talks of finding god and becoming a better man, Kev screws a silencer onto his pistol.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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The American customers can peruse Saint James' iconic wardrobe essentials for the whole family with selections men, women, kids, even dogs plus unisex styles.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swain. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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