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

Ronnie here, swooping in with your weekly dose of happiness. —Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024

Plus, antioxidants swoop in to protect against pesky free radicals. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024

Noun

In one fell swoop, Azerbaijan upended a thousand-year-old culture and civilization overnight. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

While both states hold their fair share of appeal for gastronomes, South Florida residents and visitors can experience both in one fell swoop at the beginning of the new year, with the 2025 Artisans of Wine and Food festival taking place on the sunny shores of Boca Raton. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

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

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