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
Gately said witness statements gathered during a preliminary investigation suggested the driver was headed south on Allyn Street in a 2025 Ford T-250 van when the bicyclist, who was also going south in the right shoulder, veered into traffic and struck the side of the van.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2026
Officials said the man veered off the road for unknown reasons.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
The discussions quickly veered into the handling of a war that appears locked in a stalemate as higher fuel prices pose political problems for Republicans in the midterm congressional elections.
—Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The three teens were killed on April 6 when their vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames in Jackson County, Florida.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 11 May 2026
In 2007, one Collins trucker veered into oncoming traffic on a North Carolina highway and hit a white Honda CR-V.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 11 May 2026
According to Gold Coast District Assistant Officer Superintendent Brett Jackson, per the ABC, early investigations indicated the 19-year-old may have veered onto the wrong side of the road.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Katy Perry as a chandelier still feels surreal, Jared Leto as Choupette veered into full Cats territory.
—Alex Badia, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
Wishnowsky did well as an in-season signing last year, but the Bills have always veered toward finding a young, long-term replacement at kicker and punter.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2026
Officials said the man veered off the road for unknown reasons.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
The discussions quickly veered into the handling of a war that appears locked in a stalemate as higher fuel prices pose political problems for Republicans in the midterm congressional elections.
—Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The three teens were killed on April 6 when their vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames in Jackson County, Florida.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 11 May 2026
In 2007, one Collins trucker veered into oncoming traffic on a North Carolina highway and hit a white Honda CR-V.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 11 May 2026
According to Gold Coast District Assistant Officer Superintendent Brett Jackson, per the ABC, early investigations indicated the 19-year-old may have veered onto the wrong side of the road.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Katy Perry as a chandelier still feels surreal, Jared Leto as Choupette veered into full Cats territory.
—Alex Badia, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
Wishnowsky did well as an in-season signing last year, but the Bills have always veered toward finding a young, long-term replacement at kicker and punter.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veered
Verb
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Braun is no stranger to accent work, having deviated from his normal speaking voice to play comedian Andy Kaufman in 2024's Saturday Night and an Australian character for 2016's Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
-
Since then, Davidson hasn’t deviated from his plan.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Blue Jays swung at just 18% of Detmers’ pitches that were out of the zone.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
-
Before Denver swung a blockbuster trade for star receiver Jaylen Waddle.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Just months after the unit started, one officer in an unmarked police car spotted a man on a dirtbike and swerved across a yellow line into oncoming traffic, hitting the motorcyclist head-on and sending him flying.—
Eric Umansky,
ProPublica,
11 May 2026
-
Zack Kelly pitched himself to the edge of disaster, then masterfully swerved out of harm’s way.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Ricard turned this island into a whimsical microcosm of the good life—one filled with food, drink, creativit,y and communality—and now his descendants are continuing that spirit in partnership with the Zannier hotel group.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Blanchette said the comment alarmed him and immediately turned his focus to Frew’s safety.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Maria Wittorp, the hotel’s head concierge, said, with the haste of an auctioneer, standing in the lobby, as blazer-wearing staffers whipped by.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Real estate agents whipped out their phones to put a hard sell on anything east of I-95.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The shutdown has had a massive impact on the finances of Iranians whose businesses rely on internet access and has also effectively cut the people off from the outside world.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
After being cut from the high school team each of his first three years, Sloane piled on some muscle, increased the velocity on his fastball and drew college interest last summer.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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During a time when Lane Kiffin once again became the target of fans everywhere, his new AD stepped up and circled the wagons.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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For three years, the Wizards’ braintrust has circled 2026 as the draft.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Emma Bailey Leary, who manages events for Bart’s Books, the town’s storied outdoor bookshop, wandered in wearing head-to-toe fuchsia.—
Priyanka Mattoo,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
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So when Jaden Smith wandered over to sign autographs, Huang handed the reel to him instead.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Veered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veered. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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