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

Related 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
Revisiting Mean Girls with Rosalind Wiseman In his choice of other 21st-century films to focus on, Handy veers away from depictions of teens whose newly stressful struggles for autonomy portend dire consequences. —Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025 Dishes, which veer towards smaller format options, include shao bing flatbread, cockles with loofah gourd, and three-cup squid. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
Noun
There’s a fine line between replicating the original and veering too far from the original. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 July 2025 Unlike some tennis dresses that can veer into a bit too short territory, this pleated skirt offers just enough length for comfortable movement without compromising style. —Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 27 June 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
  • Instead, the Olympian’s attention deviated to the officer’s appearance.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • That’s not dissimilar from what happened in the TikTok case, where the justices — including the liberals — deviated from free-speech norms because they were panicked by concerns about China.
    — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • The downside is that each method has a potential reaction from the AGI or ASI that could turn things ugly.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • In the multicam comedy, per the logline, Leanne’s (Morgan) world is turned upside down when her husband of 33 years unexpectedly leaves her for another woman.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Definition of turn
Verb
  • Bevan swerved several times into Jackson’s lane but did not hit Jackson’s vehicle, according to court documents.
    — Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
  • For the most part, Thorne’s direction is assured, ably swerving between the nail-biting tension of the principal story and the comedic elements of its subplots.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025
Definition of swerve
Noun
  • The showdown of General Zod and his henchmen also takes place at the Fortress, with a great twist to defeat them.
    — Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 11 July 2025
  • Players can also call out previous issues of their comics to help provide plot twists and other important background information.
    — Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of twist
Verb
  • When Bacho moves in to make a move, Sakamoto swings a stock pot at Bacho's head, rendering him unconscious.
    — Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • But when the opportunity presented itself to purchase the building block, Batchelor swung at the chance.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
Definition of swing
Verb
  • Every first without him will cut especially deep, but there will also be comfort to be gained from being back together at Kirkby.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • The chances the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by 50 basis points in December are growing, according to Oxford Economics.
    — Danny Bakst, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Definition of cut
Noun
  • The visitor center offers an overview of the rock art; the park managers don’t disclose the rock-art locations because the works are prone to erosion, but a web of hiking trails in the park introduces the stone overhangs and river bends that might once have provided refuge.
    — Elaine Glusac, AFAR Media, 26 June 2025
  • On the walk back to the observatory, our group reached a familiar bend in the path.
    — Michael Jones McKean, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
Definition of bend
Verb
  • In 2023, another Delta flight diverted to Terceira due to an engine issue.
    — Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 July 2025
  • The plane diverted to Logan International Airport in Boston, and Massachusetts State Police officers took Reid into custody.
    — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 July 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 18 Jul. 2025.

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