To swerve means to change direction suddenly and sharply, usually to avoid hitting something. When a driver swerves to miss a pothole, the car jerks quickly to one side. A soccer player might swerve around a defender, changing direction so fast it catches the other player off guard.

The word captures that quick, decisive moment when you shift course. Picture riding your bike down a path when suddenly a squirrel darts out: you swerve without even thinking, your body reacting faster than your mind. A car might swerve across lanes on the highway, or a hockey puck might swerve unexpectedly on the ice.

Swerve describes an abrupt, often jerky movement that happens quickly. You turn gradually into your driveway, but you swerve to avoid a ball rolling into the street. The word can imply either quick reflexes (good) or loss of control (bad). A basketball might swerve through the air after bouncing off the rim, changing its path in a way no one expected.