swerve

1
2
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course the bike path gently swerves to the right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction the hurricane had been following the coastline before it swerved and headed inland

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swerve contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swerve are depart, deviate, digress, diverge, and veer. While all these words 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

Where would depart be a reasonable alternative to swerve?

While in some cases nearly identical to swerve, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

When might deviate be a better fit than swerve?

Although the words deviate and swerve have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When could digress be used to replace swerve?

The words digress and swerve can be used in similar contexts, but digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How are the words diverge and depart related as synonyms of swerve?

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

When would veer be a good substitute for swerve?

In some situations, the words veer and swerve are roughly equivalent. However, veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of swerve According to the trooper, the pickup truck driver failed to maintain a proper lane and was swerving all over the highway, the warrant affidavit said. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2025 So here’s a chance, at roughly the halfway point, to swerve into good old-fashioned romance. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 28 May 2025 State police said he was then allegedly seen swerving to his left across all three lanes and merging onto the off-ramp to Route 8, nearly hitting multiple other motorists. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2025 But Affleck is onto Weiss and swerves across lanes of traffic along the 101 en route to the San Fernando Valley. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for swerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swerve
Verb
  • Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley did not hold back, pointing to Mamdani’s win as proof that the Democratic Party has veered far to the left.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
  • White and burgundy accents nod to his Bayern Munich kit without veering into overt branding.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The whole coast curved around us like a giant C—a huge bay that held the archipelago.
    James Rebanks June 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
  • Fifteen minutes later, the tracks curve along the dramatic 39-mile coastline, revealing the turquoise sea and rocky limestone cliffs known as the calanques.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • As long as your outfit offers enough coverage when moving through the terminal, bending down for luggage, and sitting in a tight airplane seat, a skirt can be a great airport choice.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025
  • Another video of the incident showed a witness bending down behind an unmarked vehicle — reportedly belonging to federal agents — trying to get a photo of the license plate.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The fatal flight’s initial trajectory in the air is also somewhat typical and does not deviate significantly from the previous seven Air India Flight 171 departures from Ahmedabad, according to historical flight data.
    Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The image had shown a dessert dramatically deviating from the typical McDonald's serving, yet presented without explanation—leaving much to speculation.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Florida recently banned kids under 14 from having social media accounts entirely, while other states have targeted specific features such as endless scrolling or push notifications designed to keep kids hooked.
    Meg Leta Jones, The Conversation, 27 June 2025
  • Flamengo had a great chance to take the lead at the start of the second half when Gonzalo Plata couldn’t hook the ball in from close-range.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The former athlete posted a pair of throwback photos on his Instagram Stories in honor of the Prince of Wales turning 43 on June 21.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 22 June 2025
  • The officer was traveling westbound on Olympic Parkway and was turning left to travel south on Windingwalk Street when the motorcyclist, who was traveling eastbound on Olympic Parkway allegedly crashed onto the side of police car.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Warning signs a skunk is ready to spray include jumping, stamping their front feet, arching their back, clicking teeth, and hissing.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • Throughout June, the core of Milky Way Galaxy will appear as a bright band arching across the night sky.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The next step, Thomson said, is to get Harper outside Friday to throw more and swing off a tee.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • Telfar bags swung next to kente cloth wraps, and authors like Clarence Haynes signed copies of his new novel, The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery, as lines snaked through the crowds.
    Essence, Essence, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swerve. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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