veer 1 of 2

1
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction at this point the river veers to the southwest before finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

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veer

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb veer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of veer are depart, deviate, digress, diverge, and swerve. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

When would depart be a good substitute for veer?

While in some cases nearly identical to veer, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

When could deviate be used to replace veer?

The synonyms deviate and veer are sometimes interchangeable, but deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

In what contexts can digress take the place of veer?

Although the words digress and veer have much in common, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How do diverge and depart relate to one another, in the sense of veer?

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

When might swerve be a better fit than veer?

The words swerve and veer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of veer
Verb
Dark Winds took an explicit turn with its social and political commentary in its second season; as a result, the dialogue occasionally veered into goofy literalness, and many of its heavy-handed lines were given to Emma. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025 The officer driving the cruiser veered around the turning vehicle, lost control of the wheel, hopped the curb and slammed into the shuttered Frutas & Abarrotas Mexico II. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
The remarks rarely veer into overtly political territory. Kellen Browning, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025 Unable to admit the depth of her jealousy (here, the narrative veers into Baby Mama territory), Lainy distances herself from Kate to indulge in her own fantasy. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for veer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veer
Verb
  • The Justice Department also said that DOGE access doesn't deviate significantly from normal practices inside the agency, where employees are routinely allowed to search its databases.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Their decisions often deviated from strict legal precedent when faced with sympathetic defendants.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the past decade, pitchers have turned their focus to training techniques that increase their average velocity and the over-all movement of the ball—even at the expense of throwing strikes.
    Lindsey Adler, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Our favorite machines here can turn your barista into a stranger.
    Molly Higgins, Wired News, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Sanchez swerved onto the freeway shoulder and hit Cortez, prosecutors said.
    Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The problem with swerving was that there were nearby pedestrians that would be endangered.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Watch Servant on Apple TV+ Mythic Quest Mythic Quest is a workplace comedy with a massive twist.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Update: Republished on March 23 with a warning into a new text attack and a twist on this surging Chinese threat, with additional advice on how to stay safe.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (Last week: 1) The betting odds have swung massively into Gilgeous-Alexander’s favor with Jokić missing so many games recently with an ankle injury.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Still no timetable on anything, but he’s been able to swing the bat and feel like there’s been some steady improvement day after day.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Will cutting sustainability contribute to losing trust with employees, consumers, and communities?
    Paul Klein, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Pitino pulled star wing RJ Luis out of the lineup after making two free throws to cut Arkansas’ lead to two points with less than five minutes to play.
    Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • West Elm Myla Side Storage Bed $1,999 $1,700 West Elm Specs: The slight bend of the headboard gives this platform bed a touch of midcentury-modern style.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Single-Leg Deadlift Move Type: Strength How to Do It: Stand with feet hip-width apart; keep a soft bend in both knees.
    Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In 1959, Prince Edward County, Virginia, closed its public schools for five years, diverting tax monies to build a K-12 private academy for 1,400 white students and allotting their families tuition grants.
    Essence, Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Between January 2013 and May 2018, fraudsters manipulated direct deposit information to divert $33.5 million in benefits from 20,878 recipients, according to audits by the SSA's Office of the Inspector General.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Veer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veer. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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