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

That could include speeding, running a red light, swerving, or possible DWI behavior. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025

The approaching line of low-flying Canadas swerved abruptly and, apparently just out of range, swung across my front. —Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025

Kill swerved his squad to the left, stopped in the 900 block of Euclid Street and took cover under the driver compartment. —Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 18 June 2025

Alex Cooper, center, and her dancers rehearse a production number in Call Her Alex Disney The biographical portions can feel evasive—weirdly so, considering that messiness and candor are central to Cooper’s brand—often swerving away from uncomfortable topics. —Judy Berman, Time, 10 June 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