swerve

1
2
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course the bike path gently swerves to the right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction the hurricane had been following the coastline before it swerved and headed inland

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swerve contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swerve are depart, deviate, digress, diverge, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

Where would depart be a reasonable alternative to swerve?

While in some cases nearly identical to swerve, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

When might deviate be a better fit than swerve?

Although the words deviate and swerve have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When could digress be used to replace swerve?

The words digress and swerve can be used in similar contexts, but digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How are the words diverge and depart related as synonyms of swerve?

Diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When would veer be a good substitute for swerve?

In some situations, the words veer and swerve are roughly equivalent. However, veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of swerve The case then swerved into unusual territory: The man would not agree to the procedure, so the police got a judge to order it. Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2025 Everything about this was textbook: the scanning before receiving between the lines, the skip away from the defender, the swerving, looping strike that bamboozled goalkeeper Katherine Tapia, who could do nothing but sink slowly backwards to the ground. Richard Amofa, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 The 21-year-old picked the ball up in space before driving towards goal and sending a swerving shot into the back of the net. Ben Church, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025 However, the storytelling only kicks in about 15 minutes before the intermission, and then quickly swerves into outlandish territory and stays there. Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swerve
Verb
  • This latest movie from Angel Studios demonstrates that the distributor’s interest in releasing films that veer away from proselytizing is paying off artistically.
    Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Something to be optimistic about is that PLT seems to want to veer away from fast fashion, which is a good thing.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Completed in 2021, the four-bedroom, four-bath abode offers nearly 7,000 square feet of living space over three floors that are accessible via an elevator and a curving staircase topped by a 34-teardrop glass pendant chandelier.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The interior design features curved wooden elements that not only add sculptural beauty but also enhance sound quality throughout the venue.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And the Eagles could be the perfect fit to further unlock his explosiveness and bend around the edge as a situational pass rusher in Philly’s rotation up front.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • These muscle sushi rolls could bend or rotate, depending on which fibers were contracted.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To cover its tracks, the social media company allegedly deviated from usual practices and attempted to conceal the torrenting by using Amazon Web Services.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Between the lines: The company hasn't deviated from its pledge to go net-zero by 2050, Coben says.
    Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The video went viral, amassing more than 460,000 views and 500 comments Taylor Curl first heard of One Direction in 2011 from a friend — and right away she was hooked.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The murder mystery, sci-fi, natural catastrophe tale hooks its viewers within the first few scenes and doesn’t let go until the very last scene, and even then, you’re left wanting more.
    Dana Feldman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Her writing turned into role-playing in forums, and Twilight fandom gave way to a love of video games like Mass Effect.
    Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Having started her career as a soprano, Hannigan turned her hand to conducting at age 40 at the Châtelet in Paris.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Keep your shoulders, ribs and hips stacked over your knees without arching your back.
    Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Its semi-evergreen, narrow, grass-like leaves arch gracefully, providing a fine textured appearance.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Brianna seems to swing between two moods: intense enthusiasm, intense repugnance.
    Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Wilmore swung open the space station’s hatch and then rang the ship’s bell as the new arrivals floated in one by one and were greeted with hugs and handshakes.
    Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swerve. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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