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 That could include speeding, running a red light, swerving, or possible DWI behavior. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025 The approaching line of low-flying Canadas swerved abruptly and, apparently just out of range, swung across my front. Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025 Kill swerved his squad to the left, stopped in the 900 block of Euclid Street and took cover under the driver compartment. Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 18 June 2025 Alex Cooper, center, and her dancers rehearse a production number in Call Her Alex Disney The biographical portions can feel evasive—weirdly so, considering that messiness and candor are central to Cooper’s brand—often swerving away from uncomfortable topics. Judy Berman, Time, 10 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
  • Washing Charlie in the upstairs bathtub left the house covered in dirt and required his humans to bend over, straining their backs.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2025
  • Plant it in full sun and near a natural wind barrier, such as a fence, building, or larger plantings, to keep the plants from bending over.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 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 downside is that each method has a potential reaction from the AGI or ASI that could turn things ugly.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • With an additional retrofit kit, the Allegro 2 can be converted into a tower, turning it into a double duty piece of equipment.
    Amy Wilkinson, SELF, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Give them a container with room to grow, and the arching stems will eventually reach 18 inches in height.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
  • The national park is characterized by gently rising hills with low-growing vegetation, as well as forested areas where stone bridges arch over small rivers.
    Mike Nolan, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • As a tugboat pushed against the front right side of the ship, the back of the vessel began to swing toward the Brooklyn Bridge.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 30 June 2025
  • Anyone hankering for a Beaver Nugget break on their travels can swing by the new spot, which is located right off I-81 in Rockingham County.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 30 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swerve. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on swerve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!