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

But by the time early voting ended this weekend, early turnout totals had swerved back toward the Republican side. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025

How can President Donald Trump swerve the U.S. Constitution in order to remain as Commander-in-Chief for a third term? Jon Stewart believes the answer might lie in classic ‘90s action flick Face/Off, which starred Nicolas Cage and John Travolta. —Peter White, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025

The Honda driver swerved to avoid the stopping device and continued on the interstate, according to the warrant affidavits. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025

Denny Hamlin has opened up about a road rage incident following the Homestead-Miami NASCAR Cup Series race, where a car from Richard Childress Racing (RCR) swerved into a Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) vehicle after JGR lost its police escort. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 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