Synonyms of swerve

swerve

verb

ˈswərv 

1

as in to veer

to depart abruptly from a straight line or course

the car swerved sharply to avoid the squirrel in the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

• veer
• curve
• cut
• turn
• zag
• zig
• bow
• sheer
• yaw
• wander
• circle
• break
• sweep
• bend
• weave
• skew
• arch
• twist
• curl
• round
• arc
• wheel
• pivot
• slew
• loop
• hook
• deviate
• spiral
• zigzag
• wind
• crook
• stray
• coil
• waver
• about-face

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten

2

as in to curve

to turn away from a straight line or course

the bike path gently swerves to the right

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curve
• sweep
• arc
• bow
• fall off
• round
• turn
• bend
• wheel
• trend
• arch
• wind
• hook
• loop
• curl
• crook
• circle
• veer
• spiral
• deviate
• coil
• twist
• curlicue

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten

3

as in to bend

to cause to turn away from a straight line

a dog dashed out in front of me and made me swerve my bike to one side of the bike path

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bend
• hook
• arch
• curve
• bow
• turn
• curl
• twist
• veer
• crook
• deflect
• round
• wave
• reflect
• arc
• divert
• swirl
• weave
• inflect
• loop
• slope
• incline
• spiral
• meander
• warp
• kink
• incurvate
• enroll
• entwine
• coil
• incurve
• wind
• dent
• twine
• decline
• dimple

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten
• unbend
• uncurl

4

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction

the hurricane had been following the coastline before it swerved and headed inland

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deviate
• turn
• swing
• veer
• diverge
• wheel
• sheer
• detour
• turn off
• tack
• zigzag
• double (back)
• turn back

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swerve contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swerve are depart, deviate, digress, diverge, and veer. While all these words 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

Where would depart be a reasonable alternative to swerve?

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

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

When might deviate be a better fit than swerve?

Although the words deviate and swerve have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When could digress be used to replace swerve?

The words digress and swerve can be used in similar contexts, but digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How are the words diverge and depart related as synonyms of swerve?

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 would veer be a good substitute for swerve?

In some situations, the words veer and swerve are roughly equivalent. However, veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of swerve

Aerial footage of the pursuit showed the driver in a gray SUV swerving through lanes on the northbound 101 Freeway, using the shoulder lanes to get around other vehicles and traveling at a high rate of speed. —Cbs La Staff, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Sixth grader Jackson Casnave, 12, who was sitting directly behind the driver, noticed the bus beginning to swerve. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026

Smith probably won’t be the only listener surprised by the album, which combines some downtown rock with gentle, playful story-songs that swerve toward an almost Buddy Holly-ish melodic sweetness. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026

While driving the five miles home, she was recorded tailgating other vehicles, swerving off the road and crossing over into the on-coming lane, according to the Daily Mail. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026