veer 1 of 2

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

Relevance
2
3

veer

2 of 2

noun

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
Co-created by sitcom king Chuck Lorre with Morgan and Susan McMartin, the sitcom veers more sweet than bitter, more fizzy than heavy, more focused on the comedic possibilities of Leanne’s wide-open future than the poignant memories of her past. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025 After intermission, the show veers into Southern California to, somewhat puzzlingly, a statue of Helena Modjeska, a Polish emigree better known for her Shakespearean acting than for making art. Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 10 July 2025
Noun
According to the autopsy report obtained by Dateline from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, McNeal’s tractor veered from the road, colliding with an overpass abutment, and then caught fire. Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025 There is no reason to reinvent the wheel or to veer from the franchise system. Seth Lederman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for veer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veer
Verb
  • Even in states whose policy deviates from the CDC, each pharmacy can set its own boundaries on who can be vaccinated, and individual pharmacists may fear liability for vaccinating pregnant customers, Groves said.
    Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Dell said the real challenge is how quickly students who deviate from their peers’ politics can be ostracized.
    Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He was arrested following a 33-hour manhunt after his parents recognized surveillance images of the suspect released by police and convinced him, with the help of a family friend, to turn himself in.
    Connor Greene, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Also, the tensions between Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Iyo could result in the latter turning heel on Vaquer during or after the match for the vacant WWE Women’s World Championship.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When the officers attempted to pull over the BMW, the car sped off and made other unsafe driving maneuvers such as swerving around other cars and running a stop sign.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The first season of Origins ended in a cliffhanger; Lala (Mariel Molino) was seriously injured in a car accident after swerving to avoid a child.
    The Deadline TV Team, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The chic, minimalist bow print gives it a preppy twist that looks great on long plane rides, road trips, and everywhere in between.
    Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Colin brings his Hollywood perspective to the NFL stage as he and Ashley talk matchups, momentum, and unpredictable twists.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That kind of dexterity is apparent in the footwork, one of those features that can swing matches when the going gets tough.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • After the Blue Jays swung a trade to bring in Shane Bieber at this season's deadline, Edward Eng of FanSided's Jays Journal predicted the team would turn to him as a long-term replacement while letting Max Scherzer walk this winter.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Others have cut bills by a factor of five.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Jobless claims hit their highest level since 2021 last week, adding to recent labor market revisions that have fueled confidence the Fed will cut rates in September.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The tips of the arms were primarily used for bends, while elongations were more frequent closer to the body.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
  • With 60 percent of its 2,952 pounds over the front wheels, hard pushes at 9/10ths through tight 30 mph bends reveal clear understeer; however, on faster, sweeping corners, the balance feels spot on.
    Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The study also found that nearly half the respondents — highest on record — had diverted investments planned for China to other regions, primarily Southeast Asia.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
  • However, those meetings will coincide with anti-Trump demonstrations that could divert attention away from the diplomatic business at hand.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Veer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veer. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on veer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!