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

Every time an underperforming manager missed a deadline or botched a client presentation, Marcus would swoop in, grab the metaphorical hose and put out the fire himself. —Janine Schindler, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

When a male finds one, the lovebug will swoop in and attach himself to her body. —Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026

Noun

When those cells rupture, oxygen swoops in, leading to browning and softening. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2026

Their first album in nine years, Paradessence, surveys a global landscape defined by genocide, climate catastrophe, and post-pandemic disorder with clarity, weaving unnerving builds with gorgeous, blooming moments best listened to in one fell swoop. —Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 May 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