1
as in veering
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the car swerved sharply to avoid the squirrel in the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
the bike path gently swerves to the right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bending
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deviating
to change one's course or direction
the hurricane had been following the coastline before it swerved and headed inland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swerving
Szoboszlai opened the scoring on 74 minutes with a swerving free kick that kissed the inside of the post and left Gianluigi Donnarumma rooted to the spot.
—
Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The woman driving a Toyota Prius hit the bicyclist shortly after noon and then continued for another block before swerving into the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market and then coming to a stop, trapping several people underneath the vehicle, police and fire officials said.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
The chase started after officers saw a white sedan swerving across all lanes of traffic.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
The new album compiles 14 recordings from his 2024 world tour of the same name, swerving away from the rock and synth-pop of 2024's GAMMA back to driving four-on-the-floor.
—Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026
Upon our arrival to Wilderness Vumbura Plains, our guide, Kabo, skillfully navigates the Jeep between sandy hills and flooded grasslands, occasionally swerving to avoid tree trunks chewed down to their stumps by elephants.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava ran for his life from the get-go of the 2025 season, swerving his way for big gains by using his legs instead of receiving the time to sit in the pocket and make plays happen with the passing game.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
According to DiMartino, initial investigations indicate that the motorcyclist lost control of his bike while trying to navigate a curve in the road, swerving off the street and into a fatal collision with a light pole.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 Dec. 2025
Photograph by Larry Salzman / AP Nelson kept swerving.
—Alex Abramovich, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The woman driving a Toyota Prius hit the bicyclist shortly after noon and then continued for another block before swerving into the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market and then coming to a stop, trapping several people underneath the vehicle, police and fire officials said.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
The chase started after officers saw a white sedan swerving across all lanes of traffic.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
The new album compiles 14 recordings from his 2024 world tour of the same name, swerving away from the rock and synth-pop of 2024's GAMMA back to driving four-on-the-floor.
—Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026
Upon our arrival to Wilderness Vumbura Plains, our guide, Kabo, skillfully navigates the Jeep between sandy hills and flooded grasslands, occasionally swerving to avoid tree trunks chewed down to their stumps by elephants.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava ran for his life from the get-go of the 2025 season, swerving his way for big gains by using his legs instead of receiving the time to sit in the pocket and make plays happen with the passing game.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
According to DiMartino, initial investigations indicate that the motorcyclist lost control of his bike while trying to navigate a curve in the road, swerving off the street and into a fatal collision with a light pole.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 Dec. 2025
Photograph by Larry Salzman / AP Nelson kept swerving.
—Alex Abramovich, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swerving
Verb
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In Paris, Boubalé also plays around with its spritz for the winter by veering away from the drink’s bitterness and citrus-forward profile.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
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If your brand of romance is veering a touch moodier (or nonexistent) this year, why not exchange pale pink for a soft baby blue?—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The entry opens to a dramatic foyer with a sweeping staircase with curving iron balusters.—
Lynn Slaney Silguero,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
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An industrial landscape gives way to vast marshes spliced by curving waterways.—
Kara Newman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Although the legislation impacts renters and landlords across the city, the proposal was introduced after residents of the Serra Grove apartment complex complained their new landlord was bending substantial renovation rules to clear out longtime renters and re-list units at double the price.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Harvesting plants grown on trellises requires less bending and stretching and can be easier on your back.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The show may change the happily ever afters of both leading ladies in Season 5 and Season 6, deviating from the Bridgerton books.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
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Not deviating from those standards is equally important.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Reaching 6 to 10 feet tall with arching branches, this tree's foliage becomes more intense with greater sun exposure.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
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Over the remainder of the half, the Broncos committed five turnovers and would have been down by even more at the break if not for a high-arching 3-pointer at the buzzer from Buchanan.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The program has focused on turning waste into artwork while raising awareness about how much plastic the community throws away.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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King then collided with the passenger side of 2015 GMC Terrain, which was headed north on Missouri 291 and turning west into a shopping center at Elizabeth Street, Mulch said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And, to no one's disappointment, seasons 2 and 3 followed suit, hooking fans even more.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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Also mentioned is an auto-hitch system to simplify hooking it up to the tow vehicle.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swerving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swerving. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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