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

Briarcliff Entertainment eventually swooped in to save the day. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 21 Feb. 2025

Aetos will no longer swoop in to attack more than once prior to facing Prometheus. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

Noun

As such, selling on these channels—or multiple of these channels for maximum potency—is the most fruitful and cost-effective way to reach Gen Z in one fell swoop. —Roy Avidor, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Additionally, stores like Saatva include free white glove delivery to set up the mattress in your home and remove an old mattress in one fell swoop. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 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