Sway/ Rock/ Swing??

[sambistapt]

Hello amigos!

She swayed/rocked/swung the craddle for the baby to sleep.
The ship swayed/rocked/swung dangerously at the high sea.
My mother´s mood sways/rocks/swings according to the weather.

Could anyone point me out the difference among them?

Thanks in advance;

Sam

 

[GreenWhiteBlue]

To my mind, something "sways" when the fixed point is at the base, the the arc of movement is at the top:

The tree swayed in the wind.
In a storm, tall buildings are known to sway.

"Rocking" implies the same kind of movement -- that is, with a greater arc at the top -- although the fixture of the base is (in my mind, at least) not necessarily quite so firm.
He stood in a trance, rocking back and forth from one foot to the other.

"Swinging" implies that the fixed point is above, with the arc of movement below it:
The acrobat swung out over the audience on the trapeze.

 

[bibliolept]

"Cradle will rock" and "mood swings" are two very idiomatic phrases, so custom makes these two the likely choices for native speakers.

 

[Harry Batt]

HEre is a nursery rhyme, Sam. It ought to help the rock part

Hush a bye, baby, on the tree top,
When the wind blows the cradle will rock;
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
Down will come baby, cradle, and all. [39