swoop

1 of 2

verb

ˈswüp 

swooped; swooping; swoops

intransitive verb

: to move with a sweep

transitive verb

: to gain or carry off in or as if in a swoop

—usually used with up

swooper noun

swoop

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of swooping

2

: a single concentrated and quickly effective effort

was done in one swoop

—often used with fell

solved everything at one fell swoop

Examples of swoop in a Sentence

Verb

The police swooped in and captured the criminals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The beloved Marvel character Silver Surfer finally swoops into the MCU in the new trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025

Now, local business leaders and entrepreneurs are swooping in to fuel a revitalization—and score bargains from depressed property values. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025

Noun

These classic vacuums are known for their huge dust bin capacities—ideal for cleaning the whole house in one fell swoop—as well as their powerful suction technology. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2025

If both came together in one fell swoop, Djokovic would probably retire a very happy man. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English swopen to sweep, from Old English swāpan — more at sweep

First Known Use

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing swoop

• in/at one fell swoop

Rhymes for swoop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop

Kids Definition

swoop

1 of 2 verb

ˈswüp 

: to dive or pounce suddenly like a hawk on its prey

swoop

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of swooping

2

: a single quickly effective effort

—often used with fell

solved everything at one fell swoop