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
Historically, the Catholic Church’s stand on climate change has veered toward silence and denialism. Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 22 Apr. 2025 Formed in 1981 and together about ten years, Salem 66 was initially one of Boston’s first all female bands (though a few guys were in later lineups), with a sound that veered between indie-pop and poetic folk-rock. Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
Historically, Neptune in Aries brings uprisings and unforeseen changes, with ideologies and thoughts that veer from the status quo. Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 27 Mar. 2025 The plot veers through various sidetracking convolutions and there is more exposition than necessary tied to supplementary characters. Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for veer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veer
Verb
  • Related Articles While not completely deviating from his wartime attire, Zelensky partially adhered to the Vatican’s dress code for the somber occasion.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • With all your company’s data and operations in a unified platform, your team can monitor patterns and identify incidents that deviate from the norm.
    Bek Abdullayev, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Francis’ Death Silences a Voice for the Voiceless As democratic values and alliances were being turned upside down, the pope was a consistent moral guidepost.
    Helene Cooper Jason Horowitz Claire Brown Maureen Cavanagh, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • But in his second term, Trump's aggressive trade policies and confrontational stance toward America's allies are threatening to turn that populist wave into a dangerous undertow.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For much of the campaign, Alexander-Arnold has swerved post-match media duties, seemingly unwilling to face probing questions about his future.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The Jeep swerved over the median and hit a silver Toyota Camry traveling east, according to Sgt.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The latest flavor joins the lineup with a salty-sweet twist and will hit shelves for a limited time starting early next month.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025
  • This 323-Square-Foot Home Is Meant to Look Like a Luxury Hotel By Nicolas Milon Looking to give a traditional-style space a more eccentric twist?
    Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The second player swings the ball across the top of the key to the second side.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The former mayor of Salzburg gave the project the go-head in 2024, but now a governmental skirmish has begun after the mayoral office swung from the political right to the left after an election.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The state says the rule is crucial to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and cutting smog-forming pollutants.
    David Shepardson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • With the new order, Trump is threatening to cut federal funds to cities and states his Administration decides are blocking his mass deportation effort.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Neighborhoods to Visit Città Antica Verona’s historic center, known as the Città Antica or the Centro Storico, is nestled within a bend in the Adige River and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2025
  • To stretch and strengthen your feet, try the following: To stretch the calf and heel, try heel cord stretches: Stand facing a wall, placing the unaffected leg forward with a slight knee bend and the affected leg straight behind with the heel flat.
    Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Welch diverted a large portion of the loan money for the personal benefit of the couple, according to court documents.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Those hotels have hospitality standards on par with many of the finest in the world, but no alcohol is served, with focus instead diverted to food, coffee, and experiences.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Veer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veer. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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