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

There was a chance this project would make it to the Cannes market, but the studio swooped in ahead of time to make sure that didn’t happen. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026

Super Bowl-winning tight end Vernon Davis, who is Starsiak Hawk's teammate, then swoops in to dip his competitor as if in a ballroom dance. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Noun

Some of Scott's adventures included riding the TRON coaster, taking photos with Darth Vader and watching Chewbacca swoop in on Deschanel. —Mackenzie Schmidt, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026

The balance of cocoa powder, butter, sugar, eggs, and sour cream gives it an almost fudgy flavor, while swoops of tangy cream cheese frosting offset the cake's richness. —Martha Stewart, 8 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