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
While many of the works, especially the drawings, have never appeared in Matisse shows, organizers initially worried that an exhibition focusing on the artist’s portraits of one person would veer into tedium. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2025 The Federal Aviation Administration said that upon departure, the United flight veered directly into the path of the SkyWest flight without authorization. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 30 May 2025
Noun
But be wary if every conversation veers toward selling products, memberships or supplements. —Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 The drink is bright green and veers toward the sweeter side of the flavor spectrum, with notes of tart citrus and earthy green tea. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 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
  • An example might be a SaaS company adding consulting or training services that enhance the core software experience without deviating too far from its expertise.
    — Will Fan, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The spending proposal lawmakers approved, negotiated among the Democratic House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office, deviates from Pritzker’s original plan in certain areas, including funding for elementary and secondary education.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • Today, in a world still healing from a global pandemic and grappling with economic, political and climate uncertainty, the temptation to turn inward is strong.
    — Kendra MacDonald, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Sarah Snook, who won a Tony Award for Best Performance By a Leading Actress in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, is stumped about how it would ever be turned into a film.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Definition of turn
Verb
  • State police said he was then allegedly seen swerving to his left across all three lanes and merging onto the off-ramp to Route 8, nearly hitting multiple other motorists.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2025
  • But Affleck is onto Weiss and swerves across lanes of traffic along the 101 en route to the San Fernando Valley.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Definition of swerve
Noun
  • What did the major twist at the end of the movie mean?
    — Caroline Blair, People.com, 5 June 2025
  • This is only the latest twist in a legal saga that started last October when 23XI and Front Row filed a lawsuit against NASCAR, arguing that they were unfairly shut out of charter ownership despite purchasing charters from Stewart-Haas Racing.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of twist
Verb
  • During the argument, Goins swung the golf club at Jones, a witness told police.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
  • Reserve forward Obi Toppin helped swing the game, draining five 3s off the bench.
    — Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 6 June 2025
Definition of swing
Verb
  • Perry’s 10th playoff goal this season cut the Panthers lead to 4-2.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
  • Other options include raising payroll taxes, cutting benefits for future recipients, or a combination of all three.
    — Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Definition of cut
Noun
  • The pair came off the final bend together, with Journalism initially taking the lead.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • The reservation sits about 65 miles southeast of Billings and is near the former site of Sitting Bull's camp, on Garryowen bend of the Little Bighorn River, according to the city's website.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Definition of bend
Verb
  • However, some flights from Catania have been diverted to Palermo, according to Flight Radar Data.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
  • All southbound Interstate 5 traffic was diverted off the freeway onto Camino de la Plaza, creating a detour on San Ysidro streets, Caltrans said on the social media platform X shortly before noon.
    — Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 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 Jun. 2025.

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