swoop

1 of 2

verb

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
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.
Verb
On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026 With a sheer bodice and swooping fabric coils across the chest, the look brought a fun, flirty vibe for the second dress of the evening. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Master the carry-on and personal item combo in one fell swoop with this Delsey Paris set at a steep $300-off price. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026 Last season, Breslow made a franchise-altering trade in sending Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in an effort to recalibrate the clubhouse dynamics and the franchise’s finances in one fell swoop. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swoop

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of swoop was in 1566

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swoop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swoop. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

swoop

1 of 2 verb
: 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

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