1
as in deviated
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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2
as in swung
to change the course or direction of (something)
veered the ship abruptly to the right to avoid a collision
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in swerved
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
without warning the car veered to the left and into an oncoming truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of veered
Born in 1932 in the central German town of Halberstadt, Kluge started his career as a lawyer, but soon veered towards literature and cinema.
—
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
The truck then veered into a lane to the right and collided with the backend of a 2021 Toyota Highlander being driven by a 69-year-old man from Lake Elsinore.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Chupacabras kicker Ben Derby’s game-tying field goal attempt in the final minute hit one of Tingley’s decks and veered right of the goal posts, effectively sealing Orlando’s closer-than-expected win.
—Sean Rider, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
But the rules veered into unconstitutional territory, senior US District Judge Paul Friedman wrote in Friday’s ruling.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
According to the video shared by a user named Meooow, a dancing robot suddenly veered too close to diners while performing.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026
An older rider veered unsteadily down the center of the walkway.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
Our teachers were endlessly patient—even when our son Vijay veered into manga sketches instead of tradition—and what began as a short lesson stretched into hours.
—Christine Chitnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
State police believe a Toyota GR86 was traveling east on Route 44 when the car failed to negotiate a curve, veered off the roadway and struck a tree.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
The truck then veered into a lane to the right and collided with the backend of a 2021 Toyota Highlander being driven by a 69-year-old man from Lake Elsinore.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Chupacabras kicker Ben Derby’s game-tying field goal attempt in the final minute hit one of Tingley’s decks and veered right of the goal posts, effectively sealing Orlando’s closer-than-expected win.
—Sean Rider, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
But the rules veered into unconstitutional territory, senior US District Judge Paul Friedman wrote in Friday’s ruling.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
According to the video shared by a user named Meooow, a dancing robot suddenly veered too close to diners while performing.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026
An older rider veered unsteadily down the center of the walkway.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
Our teachers were endlessly patient—even when our son Vijay veered into manga sketches instead of tradition—and what began as a short lesson stretched into hours.
—Christine Chitnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
State police believe a Toyota GR86 was traveling east on Route 44 when the car failed to negotiate a curve, veered off the roadway and struck a tree.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veered
Verb
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There’s been times when he’s deviated from such plans in the past for that reason.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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But during the first week of the Iran war, Hegseth’s press briefings deviated from the measured tone expected from high-ranking military officials.—
Casey Ryan Kelly,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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My dad glanced behind us once to see if we were being followed, winked at me in the rearview mirror, and then swung our car toward Interstate 80, headed west.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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Then the pendulum swung and strength training came into vogue in the ’90s and 2000s as more research emerged suggesting that lifting could help improve bone health and prevent osteoporosis, Petrzela says.—
Caitlin Carlson,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Confrontation Escalates Fetzer said the vehicles swerved toward the cyclists, honked and put their lives in danger.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Fetzer said the cars swerved at them, honked and put the cyclists’ lives in danger.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Estrada Juarez turned the camera to show the sunset.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Eastlake defense turned three double plays behind him, including a nifty 6-4-3, started by shortstop Zowen Watson, to end the game.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For 10 minutes, Boyd took in the scene as the flags whipped above the center-field scoreboard, Cubs infielders took grounders and stadium workers finished final preparations before 39,712 fans streamed into the ballpark.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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This pizza has soppressata, whipped ricotta and drizzles of hot honey.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Cavaliers led by as many as 36 points, but the Heat went on a third-quarter run to cut the deficit to 19 in the final seconds of the period.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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Reduce the lot size, cut the square footage, and a house should cost less, supporters said.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ball circled the rim twice before dropping on Friday night, delighting Duke and its fans and crushing LSU.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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According to flight-tracking data online, at least one of the helicopters circled Rock’s estate four times over a three-minute span.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Colorado has 18 wolves outfitted with collars, plus pups and others that wandered from neighboring states.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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Owners stood beside their cars on the lawn, residents and visitors wandered freely through the park, and hot rods shared space with antiques and other classic automobiles.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Veered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veered. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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