swerve

verb

ˈswərv 

swerved; swerving

intransitive verb

: to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course : deviate

transitive verb

: to cause to turn aside or deviate

swerve noun

Synonyms

• break
• cut
• sheer
• veer
• yaw
• zag
• zig

Choose the Right Synonym for swerve

swerve, veer, deviate, depart, digress, diverge mean to turn aside from a straight course.

swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

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

Examples of swerve in a Sentence

He lost control of the car and swerved toward a tree.

the car swerved sharply to avoid the squirrel in the road

Recent Examples on the Web

For unknown reasons, the Nissan swerved over the double solid yellow lines into the northbound lane, causing the Nissan to hit the front of the Dodge Charger, killing both drivers. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024

In her answer, Harris swerved around a direct response, instead focusing on former President Donald Trump’s admiration for dictators, such as North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, without mentioning Israel. —Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Oct. 2024

In TVLine’s exclusive sneak peek from tonight’s episode of 9-1-1 (ABC, 8/7c), a night of trick-or-treating ends in horror when Denny is violently pinned against a house by a car whose disgruntled driver loses control and swerves off the road. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 24 Oct. 2024

Gonzalez swerved through parking lots and neighborhood streets to evade law enforcement, Olivarez continued. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English sweorfan to wipe, file away; akin to Old High German swerban to wipe off, Welsh chwerfu to whirl

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

swerve

verb

ˈswərv 

swerved; swerving

: to turn aside suddenly from a straight line or course

swerve noun