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swerve

verb
\ ˈswərv How to pronounce swerve (audio) \
swerved; swerving

Definition of swerve

intransitive verb

: to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course : deviate

transitive verb

: to cause to turn aside or deviate
Other Words from swerve Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about swerve

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Other Words from swerve

swerve noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for swerve

Synonyms

break, cut, sheer, veer, yaw, zag, zig

Antonyms

straighten

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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

 Prosecutors allege that Schmitt purposely swerved his 2011 Mercedes CLS550 into Jahangard and struck the father of two, who died three days later of blunt force injuries to the head. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE.com, "Georgia Lawyer Allegedly Runs Over, Kills Dad of 2 Who Threw Golf Ball at His Mercedes: DA," 27 Aug. 2019 The bus lurched and swerved around crater-size potholes. — USA Today, "Were Wanda Tucker’s ancestors America’s first slaves? A difficult search for answers in far-away Angola," 22 Aug. 2019 Driving while intoxicated Police charged a Rosharon woman, 37, with DWI after an officer reportedly heard the loud screeching of tires and saw a black SUV swerve around a car and go over a curb Aug. 5 in the 1300 block of FM 528. — Jennifer James, Houston Chronicle, "Police: 2 Friendswood men suspected in vehicle burglaries," 21 Aug. 2019 Police received a tip that a possible drunk driver was coming into town via Gales Creek, swerving all over the road. — oregonlive.com, "Speeding, swerving driver was trying to impress girlfriend: Forest Grove police log," 12 Aug. 2019 Police reportedly stopped Culiuc near the intersection of Wilmot Road and Hazel Avenue after observing him swerve over a double yellow line twice. — Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, "Police: Motorists cited for DUI and cannabis possession on Deerfield roadways," 13 June 2019 Shinise firms are also cautious about swerving from their original focus and constantly balance opportunities to innovate with maintaining tradition. — Innan Sasaki, Quartz at Work, "How to build a business that will last centuries," 10 June 2019 Eventually, Waymo told a local Arizona news station, its autonomous vehicles should slow down and swerve away from horses. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "Electric Buses, Quiet Tires, and More Car News This Week," 9 June 2019 An officer reportedly observed the woman driving on the shoulder and swerving into other lanes and conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of Estate Drive. — Jennifer James, Houston Chronicle, "Forgotten iPhone leads to arrest of woman with counterfeit money, Friendswood police say," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swerve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of swerve

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

History and Etymology for swerve

Middle English, from Old English sweorfan to wipe, file away; akin to Old High German swerban to wipe off, Welsh chwerfu to whirl

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More Definitions for swerve

swerve

verb
How to pronounce swerve (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of swerve

: to change direction suddenly especially to avoid hitting someone or something

See the full definition for swerve in the English Language Learners Dictionary

swerve

verb
\ ˈswərv How to pronounce swerve (audio) \
swerved; swerving

Kids Definition of swerve

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to turn aside suddenly from a straight line or course The van swerved to avoid an oncoming car.

swerve

noun

Kids Definition of swerve (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or instance of turning aside suddenly

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More from Merriam-Webster on swerve

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with swerve

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swerve

Spanish Central: Translation of swerve

Nglish: Translation of swerve for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of swerve for Arabic Speakers

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