1
as in deviated
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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2
as in swung
to change the course or direction of (something)
veered the ship abruptly to the right to avoid a collision
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in swerved
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
without warning the car veered to the left and into an oncoming truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of veered
After several miles, the suspect veered into the middle lanes, still speeding at around 90 mph for most of the time.
—
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Ukrainian officials apologized and said the drones were aimed at military targets in Russia, but veered off course by Russian electronic interference.
—Arkansas Online, 30 May 2026
Machado then veered off into what sounded like an excerpt from a manual written by Souza.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The vehicle veered off the highway and crashed into the American River, said Officer Andrew Brown, a spokesperson for the CHP’s Placerville office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
The motorcycle then veered to the left and into the paved median before striking a jersey median barrier, state police said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2026
Intrepido veered inward from his 3 post and created major contact with the 2 horse Albus and sandwiched him with a fast-breaking Renegade who was attempting to clear and not get squeezed inside.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Norris, the reigning F1 world champion, challenged Russell the rest of the race and held on to second as Antonelli veered off track a third time in an overtake attempt on the last lap.
—ABC News, 23 May 2026
Since the ceasefire, his public comments have veered from threats to restart bombing to declarations that a peace deal was at hand.
—Reuters, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Ukrainian officials apologized and said the drones were aimed at military targets in Russia, but veered off course by Russian electronic interference.
—Arkansas Online, 30 May 2026
Machado then veered off into what sounded like an excerpt from a manual written by Souza.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The vehicle veered off the highway and crashed into the American River, said Officer Andrew Brown, a spokesperson for the CHP’s Placerville office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
The motorcycle then veered to the left and into the paved median before striking a jersey median barrier, state police said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2026
Intrepido veered inward from his 3 post and created major contact with the 2 horse Albus and sandwiched him with a fast-breaking Renegade who was attempting to clear and not get squeezed inside.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Norris, the reigning F1 world champion, challenged Russell the rest of the race and held on to second as Antonelli veered off track a third time in an overtake attempt on the last lap.
—ABC News, 23 May 2026
Since the ceasefire, his public comments have veered from threats to restart bombing to declarations that a peace deal was at hand.
—Reuters, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veered
Verb
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But so far, Raman, who has aligned herself with the DSA on issues such as renter protections but deviated on police spending, is struggling to unite the organization.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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With 2025 training camp set to begin, Holmgren’s mind had deviated from the NBA.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Rice swung at the first pitch from left-hander Noah Cameron, a four-seam fastball, to hit a triple that took an awkward bounce off the left field wall and scattered away from Royals left fielder Isaac Collins past the foul line.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
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The company has also swung its strategy widely, from an embrace of low-carbon business lines to a hard pivot back to oil and gas.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Cars intentionally swerved close to spook him, sending him into the gravel more than once.—
Christina Ray Stanton,
Time,
2 June 2026
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At one point, the suspect allegedly swerved again into the wrong direction -- right at an oncoming big rig.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In April, the Grammy winner turned 75 and posted photos on Instagram from a birthday bash showing him surrounded by friends and family.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
Eco effort Bottled water comes from a well on site, food waste is turned into compost for the garden and the hotel works with local producers to reduce food miles as much as possible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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As conquerers of the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks have whipped all five boroughs into a frenzy.—
Esfandiar Baraheni,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Costume bit the tenant’s hands and cheek during the struggle, then whipped a knife out of his pocket and stabbed the tenant in the back of the neck, the tenant said.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The shortstop also rocketed a 441-foot, two-run home run off Giants right-hander Keaton Winn in the eighth to cut San Francisco’s lead to 4-3.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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Based on 2026 opening day figures, eight teams would have to cut payroll to get under the cap.—
Ronald Blum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Nowhere is the ham-handed effort more evident than in Texas, where a blend of culture war grievance and incel-targeting rage have circled the sharp-witted but mild-mannered Talarico, whose campaign is shaping up to be a fundraising juggernaut.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
2 June 2026
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McKenna circled the offensive zone, waiting and watching.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Alice tumbled down a rabbit hole; Lucy wandered through a wardrobe.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
-
That’s when a deer suddenly wandered inside.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Veered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veered. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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