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swerve

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of swerve

1 to depart abruptly from a straight line or course

the car swerved sharply to avoid the squirrel in the road

Synonyms for swerve

Words Related to swerve

skew,
slew
(also slue)

weave,
zigzag

Antonyms for swerve

straighten

2 to turn away from a straight line or course

the bike path gently swerves to the right

Synonyms for swerve

Words Related to swerve

deviate,
veer

Antonyms for swerve

straighten

3 to cause to turn away from a straight line

a dog dashed out in front of me and made me swerve my bike to one side of the bike path

Synonyms for swerve

Words Related to swerve

arc,
round

dent,
dimple

Antonyms for swerve

4 to change one's course or direction

the hurricane had been following the coastline before it swerved and headed inland

Synonyms for swerve

Words Related to swerve

tack,
zigzag

Frequently Asked Questions About swerve

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