veer 1 of 2

verb

ˈvir How to pronounce veer (audio)
Definition of veernext
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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2
as in to turn
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 to swerve
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

veer

2 of 2

noun

as in turn

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
And, not surprisingly, the more people veering off the path by 13 degrees or more, the amount of disorder also increased. —New Atlas, 24 Mar. 2025 The mangled cars veered out of control and crashed on the highway, cops said. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
The interviews are no longer live, but pre-taped, giving news organizations the chance to edit remarks by a Commander-in-Chief who is prone to making accusations without evidence and statements that veer into the realm of conspiracy theory. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025 Whereas some veer towards the latest trends and fresh-off-the-runway looks, twigs has always marched to the beat of her own drum—the perfect fashion mood for a Rick Owens show. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for veer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veer
  1. deviate
  2. turn
  3. swerve
  4. twist
  5. swing
  6. cut
  7. bend
  8. divert
Verb
  • The show deviates from the real Melissa and Keith and goes into entirely fictional territory, introducing another possible victim.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
  • There’s always a chance for a surprise cameo that deviates from the source material, but Choi Hyun-wook is not currently listed as a Season 2 cast member.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • But the moment of flexing soon turned into a public apology and her taking accountability for the effect of the song.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Ryan Coogler first turned heads with his 2013 debut Fruitvale Station, a shattering account of a fatal shooting that presaged the surge of the Black Lives Matter movement.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of turn
Verb
  • But by the time early voting ended this weekend, early turnout totals had swerved back toward the Republican side.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
  • How can President Donald Trump swerve the U.S. Constitution in order to remain as Commander-in-Chief for a third term? Jon Stewart believes the answer might lie in classic ‘90s action flick Face/Off, which starred Nicolas Cage and John Travolta.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of swerve
Noun
  • Biles, 28, gave a sporty look a chic twist by wearing an oversized white Balenciaga jean jacket with black knee-high leather boots.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • On this week’s episode of SNL, host Jack Black joins Cheetos mascot Chester Cheetah for a commercial selling a twist on a familiar product.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of twist
Verb
  • With Orlando trailing by 2 points less than a minute into the fourth quarter at Spectrum Center following a disastrous third, Hornets guard LaMelo Ball looked to swing the ball to Nick Smith Jr. waiting in the corner.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of swing
Verb
  • The mom of one most notably cut her hair in January 2023, debuting a head-turning, blunt bob.
    — Dayna Haffenden, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Nissan reversed an earlier decision to cut production at a Tennesee plant to one shift from two.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of cut
Noun
  • Rent from any of the various sports equipment centers in town, lather up with sunscreen, and float down the crystal clear river where alpine vistas are always just around the bend.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In north-central Kentucky, emergency officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for Falmouth and Butler, towns near the bend of the rising Licking River.
    — Bruce Schreiner and Kristin M. Hall, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of bend
Verb
  • American Airlines flight to Tokyo from New York was diverted to Dallas, Texas for ‘maintenance issue’ Flight Aware data shows an American Airlines flight from New York City to Tokyo get diverted to Dallas, Texas on Monday after experiencing a maintenance issue, nearly 7 hours into the flight.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The trustees opposed have previously expressed concern that the financial incentives offered to Crown would divert tax dollars away from local governments and other taxing bodies, like the school district.
    — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of divert

Browse Nearby Words

veejays
veer
veered
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Cite this Entry

“Veer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veer. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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