swerve
verb (used without object)
to turn aside abruptly in movement or direction; deviate suddenly from the straight or direct course.
swerved
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past participleof swerve.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof swerve.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
swerveverb (used without object)to turn aside abruptly in movement or direction; deviate suddenly from the straight or direct course.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One of his old bosses, Alistair Darling, the chancellor during the financial crisis, once memorably told me with affection, but in frustration, "Andy? He's like a lorry on ice", because his thinking swerved around.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
And if they couldn’t stick to the center, they did the next best thing and swerved to the shoulder.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
Critics say the prime minister has swerved from one policy misstep to another during his 22 months at the helm.
From Barron's ● May 14, 2026
It said Wilburn “likely recognized the Tesla as a hazard” about a second before the crash, at which point he swerved his steering wheel to the right and applied the brakes.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
Suddenly they swept up with a noise like thunder, and the foremost horseman swerved, passing by the foot of the hill, and leading the host back southward along the western skirts of the downs.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
