I had to swerve to avoid hitting the dog.
Source: tatoeba (2331867)
Swerve
/swɜːv/
Synonyms for "swerve" (275 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (55)
aberrancyaberrationabout shipabout the bushalterameliorateangleangle offapexavoidback and fillbe changedbe converted intobe renewedbear awaybear offbear to starboardbeatbeat aboutbeat around
Show 32 more words
Verb(2 words)
careenschanged direction
Noun(1 words)
Strong matches (83)
circuitousnesscoincome aboutcome aroundcome roundcornercrankcringecrookcrotchetcurvedeclinationdeflectdeflectiondegeneratedepartdepart fromdeparturedeterioratedetour
Show 45 more words
deviancedeviancydeviatedeviationdeviousnessdigressdigressiondipdiscursiondivagatedivagationdivaricatedivaricationdivergedivergencediversifydiversiondodgedoglegdoubledouble a pointdraw backdriftdriftingduckelbowellequivocateerrerrantryevadeexcursionexcursusexorbitationfadefall backfencefetch aboutflinchflopforkfurcatefurcationgo aboutgybe
Noun(12 words)
Related words (137)
hairpinhang backhaul aroundheave roundhedgeheelhem and hawhookimproveindirectioninflectionjibjibejibe all standingkneellurchmelioratemiss staysmitigate
Show 86 more words
modulatemutatenookobliqueobliquityparrypererrationplypointpull awaypull backpussyfootput aboutput backput offquailquoinramblingrecoilreelreel backretreatreviveround a pointsheersheer offshiftshift offshiftingshifting courseshifting pathshrinkshrink backshyshy awayshy offsidestepskewslantslewsluestartstart asidestart backstep asidestraystrayingswaysweepswervingswingswing roundswing the sternswingingtacktake a turnthrow abouttrendturnturn asideturn backturn intoturn the cornerturningtwistundergo a changevariationvaryveervertexwanderwanderingward offwarpwaverwearwear shipweaselweasel outwincewindworsenyawzagzigzigzag
Noun(16 words)
Adjective(1 words)
swift turn
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: aberrancy, aberration, about ship, about the bush, alter.
- Sentence evidence is available for swerve, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "swerve".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "swerve"
Keep "swerve" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "swerve" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "swerve", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "swerve" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
10 entriesMore specific
14 entriesacute turnfocus driftgoal driftlateral deviationleft turnnarrative driftoperational deviationpolicy driftpolicy swerveright turnsharp turnstrategic driftstrategic shifttopic drift
Collocations
10 entriesdrastic swerveevasive swervelateral swerveleft turnright turnsharp swervesharp turnsudden swerveswerve angletrajectory swerve
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesSample sentences
18 total sentences available.
Mennad tried to swerve into the biker.
Source: tatoeba (8052911)
I had to swerve to avoid hitting a dog.
Source: tatoeba (8898538)
Narrow roads have also been an issue, causing some motorists to swerve and get into accidents.
Source: tatoeba (11322938)
Showing 4 of 18 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "swerve"?
Closest matches include aberrancy, aberration, about ship, about the bush, alter.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "swerve"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.