veer 1 of 2

1
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction at this point the river veers to the southwest before finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

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veer

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb veer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of veer are depart, deviate, digress, diverge, and swerve. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

When would depart be a good substitute for veer?

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

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

When could deviate be used to replace veer?

The synonyms deviate and veer are sometimes interchangeable, but deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

In what contexts can digress take the place of veer?

Although the words digress and veer have much in common, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How do diverge and depart relate to one another, in the sense of veer?

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 might swerve be a better fit than veer?

The words swerve and veer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

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 veer
Verb
Like the more successful dishes on the menu, the biryani surfaces regional ingredients and techniques without veering toward the formulaic. Tejal Rao, New York Times, 2 May 2025 The Spa The Raffles Sentosa Spa is expected to open later this spring within a former military barracks building that is clearly veering more couture than combat these days. Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Two and a half months into Donald Trump‘s second term, the mood inside the industry’s political class veers between bewilderment and submission. Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025 The trail veers to the southwest along a wide dirt path. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for veer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veer
Verb
  • In space, satellites deviated from their trajectories due to the changes in air density caused by the sudden heating triggered by the energetic processes.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 9 May 2025
  • Industry stakeholders argue that the USCIS’s current two-year requirement deviates from both the law and investor expectations, potentially jeopardizing long-term projects.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump faced charges related to keeping hundreds of classified documents and refusing to turn them over to the FBI while Biden was under investigation for retaining classified documents.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • From the ages of 15 to 21, as running football blogs turned into a full-time journalism career, my love of Bradford City was one of the most intense things in my life.
    Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • For example, if an officer sees someone swerving, fumbling with items, or clearly not paying attention to the road, the interior light might factor into a citation for reckless or inattentive driving.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025
  • Police said a motorist behind her sideswiped Brown's vehicle in their attempt to swerve out of the way, according to reporting by KSDK and Fox 2, citing police.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The latest twist in the ongoing tussle over ProSiebenSat.1 Media‘s future sees Czech investor PPF seeking to double its stake in the German broadcasting giant, challenging an existing takeover bid from MediaForEurope (MFE).
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 May 2025
  • Erling Haaland’s return falls flat as top-five battle takes a twist Analysing the major talking points from Saturday's Premier League game at St Mary's Could Guardiola break the mould and play all three at Wembley, while maintaining the team’s balance?
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Happ’s oblique bothered him the most when attempting to swing.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • In between the European trips, Biden had swung back to the United States to be at home in Wilmington, Delaware, for the verdict of his son Hunter Biden's guns case trial.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The agency’s participation in the program, which began in 1994 as the Back to Sleep campaign, was cut on April 1, according to Dr. Rachel Moon, a lead author of safe sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • However, with the fight at stake and Aldo unable to safely cut any more weight, a deal was struck between Aldo, the UFC, and Zahabi to fight at featherweight with a 145-pound limit.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Research now shows there’s no universal neutral body posture in zero-gravity environments, but there are certain commonalities between the postures, including maintaining a neutral spine, with a slight bend in the knees and arms.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The bay, around the first bend from the lodge, is separated from the main lake by a railroad causeway built of ballast.
    Don Shiner, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Dozens of flights were diverted that afternoon, including to Allentown and Philadelphia.
    Daniel Wood, New York Times, 9 May 2025
  • The barriers and dams also diverted the lava flow towards a safe direction.
    Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Veer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veer. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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