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 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

That maneuver allegedly caused another vehicle to swerve to avoid impact, which led to a fatal head-on collision that killed 78-year-old Herman Hall and injured two others. —Essence News Editors, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025

Lacy, who was from Thibodaux, Louisiana, allegedly was driving recklessly — speeding and passing in a no-passing zone — when a motorist who was swerving to avoid Lacy’s Dodge Charger crashed head-on into another vehicle. —Brett Martel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for swerve

• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• verve
• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve

Kids Definition

swerve

verb

ˈswərv 

swerved; swerving

: to turn aside suddenly from a straight line or course

swerve noun