Thesaurus

veer

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of veer

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 to change one's course or direction

at this point the river veers to the southwest before finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean

Synonyms for veer

Words Related to veer

tack,
zigzag

2 to change the course or direction of (something)

veered the ship abruptly to the right to avoid a collision

Synonyms for veer

Words Related to veer

reverse,
turn back

3 to depart abruptly from a straight line or course

without warning the car veered to the left and into an oncoming truck

Synonyms for veer

Words Related to veer

skew,
slew
(also slue)

about-face,
pivot

weave,
zigzag

Antonyms for veer

straighten

veer

noun

Synonyms of veer (Entry 2 of 2)

as in turn, twist

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for veer

turn,
twist

bow,
dip,
nod

Frequently Asked Questions About veer

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

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