swerve

swerve

verb \ˈswərv\

swervedswerv·ing

Definition of SWERVE

intransitive verb

: to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course : deviate

transitive verb

: to cause to turn aside or deviate

— swerve noun

Examples of SWERVE

1. He lost control of the car and swerved toward a tree.
2. <the car swerved sharply to avoid the squirrel in the road>

Origin of SWERVE

Middle English, from Old English sweorfan to wipe, file away; akin to Old High German swerban to wipe off, Welsh chwerfu to whirl

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SWERVE

Synonyms

break, cut, sheer, veer, yaw, zag, zig

Antonyms

straighten

Related Words

skew, slew (also slue); arc, arch, bend, bow, crook, curve, hook, round, sweep, wheel; about-face, pivot; circle, coil, curl, loop, spiral; turn, twist, wind; weave, zigzag; deviate, stray, wander, waver

Synonym Discussion of SWERVE

swerve, veer, deviate, depart, digress, diverge 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>. veer implies a major change in direction <at that point the path veers to the right>. deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course <never deviated from her daily routine>. depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type <occasionally departs from his own guidelines>. digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse <a professor prone to digress>. 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>.

Rhymes with SWERVE

curve, MIRV, nerve, serve, slurve, verve