VEER Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'veer' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of veer are depart , deviate , digress , diverge , and swerve . While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," veer implies a major change in direction. // at that point the path veers to the right

Q: When would 'depart' be a good substitute for 'veer'?

While in some cases nearly identical to veer , depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type. // occasionally departs from his own guidelines

Q: When could 'deviate' be used to replace 'veer'?

The synonyms deviate and veer are sometimes interchangeable, but deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course. // never deviated from her daily routine

Q: In what contexts can 'digress' take the place of 'veer'?

Although the words digress and veer have much in common, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse. // a professor prone to digress

Q: How do 'diverge' and 'depart' relate to one another, in the sense of 'veer'?

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

Q: When might 'swerve' be a better fit than 'veer'?

The words swerve and veer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness. // swerved to avoid hitting the dog

veer 1 of 2

verb

ˈvir

Definition of veer next

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction at this point the river veers to the southwest before finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to turn

to change the course or direction of (something) veered the ship abruptly to the right to avoid a collision

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to swerve

to depart abruptly from a straight line or course without warning the car veered to the left and into an oncoming truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straighten

veer

2 of 2

noun

as in turn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb veer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of veer are depart, deviate, digress, diverge, and swerve. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

When would depart be a good substitute for veer?

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

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

When could deviate be used to replace veer?

The synonyms deviate and veer are sometimes interchangeable, but deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

In what contexts can digress take the place of veer?

Although the words digress and veer have much in common, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How do diverge and depart relate to one another, in the sense of veer?

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 might swerve be a better fit than veer?

The words swerve and veer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

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 veer

Verb

But when Rich goes bigger—as in the show’s final segment, which touches on the climate crisis—things veer cliché and sentimental. —

Vulture Editors, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 The four-chair turn’s jazzy tone easily veered back and forth on Maroon 5’s ballad from growly to pleasantly… well, squeaky. —

Charlie Mason, TVLine, 3 Feb. 2025

Noun

Each ultra-fancy course brings with it a hard truth about the diners, not to mention escalating acts of violence that, by film's end, veer towards the apocalyptic. —

Randall Colburn, EW.com, 1 Feb. 2025 Administrators have struggled to respond to accusations of Islamophobia and antisemitism and questions over when free speech veers into hate speech. —

Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for veer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for veer

Verb

By clearly codifying into law the objectives and authorities of our international assistance programs in a bipartisan fashion, Congress would ensure that foreign assistance will not deviate from its core purpose nor fail to deliver value for Americans.

— Ted Yoho, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
This prisoner exchange appears to deviate from the typical scenario, whereby Russian and American hostages would be released simultaneously and identified shortly before or immediately after the swap.

— Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025