swerve
/swəːv
/verb
Change or cause to change direction abruptly: a lorry swerved across her path [with object]: O’Hara swerved the motorcycle round the corner...
- A few cars swerved and squeezed by us, but finally someone had to stop and give us way.
- He said his wife had tried to get help by stopping passing cars but one had swerved around her.
- It should be widened and sidewalks introduced - a truck swerving to avoid a pedestrian was the cause of one of last week's crashes there.
Synonyms
veer, change direction, go off course, deviate, skew, diverge, sheer, curve, twist, weave, zigzag, turn aside, branch off, sidetrack;
Sailing tack
rare divagate
noun
1An abrupt change of direction: do not make sudden swerves, particularly around parked vehicles...
- The tall and rather narrow little car could not cope with sudden swerves.
- Being world class is not just holding glittering events but roads on which traffic can move at an average and safe speed of at least 40 kmph. without frequent swerves and stops to avoid potholes.
- When garbage contains hard objects, it can contribute more directly to accidents by causing damage to vehicles, punctures or dangerous swerves.
1.1 [mass noun] Divergence from a straight course imparted to a ball or other object, especially in soccer, cricket, or snooker.I remember Steve Davis explaining how Higgins used body action to put swerve on a ball....
- He has accuracy and the ability to make the ball dip and swerve or whatever is needed.
- But no one was calling for a penalty when Pryce came out of nowhere to collect the ball, swerve round the last man and dive over between the sticks.
Synonyms
curve, curl, bend, deviation, twist, change of direction;
North American, Pool & Billiards English
Derivatives
swerveless
swerver
- The best first-half point was Keith Raymond's swerver from 40 metres, hit with the outside of his boot.
- Claus Jensen, bright and inventive in midfield, tested Richard Wright with a 30-yard swerver which the England keeper clutched in his midriff.
- It was to be the hosts last flag raiser of the day as McDonald rifled over a trademark swerver to send his team six clear with six minutes left to play.
Origin
Old English sweorfan 'depart, leave, turn aside', of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch swerven 'to stray'.