swoop

1 of 2

verb

ˈswüp 

swooped; swooping; swoops

intransitive verb

: to move with a sweep

transitive verb

: to gain or carry off in or as if in a swoop

—usually used with up

swooper noun

swoop

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of swooping

2

: a single concentrated and quickly effective effort

was done in one swoop

—often used with fell

solved everything at one fell swoop

Examples of swoop in a Sentence

Verb

The police swooped in and captured the criminals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In addition to the main event, there will also be a prerace show and flyovers of military aircraft, which swooped and boomed over the city during the July Fourth celebrations. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Critics lacking a serious investment in women’s basketball can conveniently swoop in to recite their spiel, and pay no attention to the sport itself. — Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

Hop on the crossbody bag trend and add a pop of color to your outfit in one fell swoop with this purse. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Not unlike Margot Robbie, who, with that precise swoop of a Samantha Jones bob, was photographed this week in Paris wearing a corset top, a low-slung skirt and strappy Jude heels, with an Alaïa Le Teckel bag, for dinner with her parents and husband. — Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English swopen to sweep, from Old English swāpan — more at sweep

First Known Use

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing swoop

• in/at one fell swoop

Rhymes for swoop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop

Kids Definition

swoop

1 of 2 verb

ˈswüp 

: to dive or pounce suddenly like a hawk on its prey

swoop

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of swooping

2

: a single quickly effective effort

—often used with fell

solved everything at one fell swoop