VEER Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

veer 1 of 2

verb

ˈvir

Definition of veer

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

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

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

straighten

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

Last month alone, Brent’s price veered between $72 and $102 per barrel. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Finding tops that feel polished without veering stuffy isn’t always easy, but this CeCe blouse checks that box. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

Noun

Go back, watch the GIF above and look at where the ball is when Clement begins to veer. — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 8 June 2026 The tone of the first nine episodes veers wildly as the focus switches from character to character, story line to story line, and actor to actor, and that’s true of pretty much any young-people-in-the-city show. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for veer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for veer

Verb

The artisans stay true to the original colors and designs of the park — never deviating in 70 years.

— Carole Horst, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
The 30-month research program known as Operation Blue Skies includes test periods this winter and next, when air traffic controllers will tell some flights to deviate up to 2,000 feet (610 meters) to avoid areas where contrails are likely to form.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of deviate

Verb

One of my non-negotiable recommendations is Tonnara di Scopello, another historic tuna fishery turned into a tiny museum and protected cove.

— Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Her biweekly nostalgia program has turned into a daily online recap of the Keffe D trial.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

The sedan swerved and prevented the pickup from passing several times, and the vehicles almost collided.

— Riley Moser, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
As the caravan headed down 61st Street, the agent driving the CBP vehicle attempted to evade them by swerving into oncoming lanes of traffic, with Alvarez following closely behind, the plea agreement stated.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of swerve

Verb

But once every 12 years, during the Year of the Horse, the doors swing open.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The inning should have been over after Bo Bichette swung on a bouncing pitch that went back to the backstop, but Washington catcher Keibert Ruiz threw the ball past first base, and Bichette was safe.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of swing

Verb

Since it was designated the first national recreation area in 1964, hordes of visitors have cut Lake Mead’s glassy surface with jet skis and boats, carelessly dropping belongings that may now wash up on shore.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
First, prep your sandwich with any fillings, then place it into the cutter to cut and seal in one step.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

After one unit went offline, the Romanian navy blasted riverbed rocks, dredged the channel, and sank barges filled with stones in an attempt to divert more water toward the plant and keep the other unit operating.

— , CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Taxpayers need to know that almost $200 million of their money has been diverted away from charging stations that could help make commuting with electric vehicles easier.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of divert

Browse Nearby Words

veejays

veer

veered

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Veer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veer. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of veer

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on veer

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes