swerving
Sharply changing direction
Swerving is turning sharply to one side, usually to avoid something: The driver swerved to miss the deer.
The word implies sudden, reactive movement rather than planned course changes.
Figuratively, to swerve is to deviate from a path or commitment: He never swerved from his principles.
In slang, swerving someone means deliberately avoiding or rejecting them.
Changing direction suddenly
- driftingMoving without purpose
- deviationDeparture from expected path
- turningAct of rotating
- curvingBending in arc
zigzagging · slewing · skidding · yawing · diverging · shifting · lurching · jerking
Controlling direction of movement
- overtakingGetting ahead of another
- wheelRotating circular frame
- correctionFixing of mistakes
- trajectoryPath of moving object
control · maneuverability · adjustment · repositioning · braking · hydroplaning · countersteering · overcorrection
Avoid by quick movement
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- eludeSkillfully avoid capture
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- bypassRoute that skirts obstacles
divert · deflect · avert · evade · miss · escape · near-miss
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- quickMoving with speed
- instantaneousHappening without any delay
startling · unforeseen · rapid · precipitate · split-second · last-minute · knee-jerk
Unintended harmful event
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- dangerExposure to harm
- recklessnessCareless disregard for danger
distraction · ice · potholes · debris · wet · slippery · deer · pedestrian
veering
Changing direction suddenly
curving · zigzagging · slewing · skidding · yawing · diverging · shifting · lurching · jerking · jolting
steering
Controlling direction of movement
- overtakingGetting ahead of another
- wheelRotating circular frame
- correctionFixing of mistakes
trajectory · control · maneuverability · adjustment · repositioning · braking · hydroplaning · countersteering · overcorrection · handling
dodge
Avoid by quick movement
bypass · divert · deflect · avert · evade · miss · escape · near-miss
abrupt
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- quickMoving with speed
instantaneous · startling · unforeseen · rapid · precipitate · split-second · last-minute · knee-jerk
accident
Unintended harmful event
recklessness · distraction · ice · potholes · debris · wet · slippery · deer · pedestrian · blowout
unpredictable
Cannot be anticipated
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
- unstableProne to sudden change
- volatileLiable to sudden change
inconsistent · unsteady · irregular · uncontrolled · reckless · wild · haphazard · chaotic
- road ragetailgating, honking, cutting off, brake checking, middle finger
- tactical drivingJ-turn, handbrake turn, countersteering, power slide, hard braking
- agilityagile, nimble, quick, lithe, spry
- driving safetyblind spot, braking, brake, signaling, merging
- evasionevasion, avoiding, avoids, evade, dodging
- motion changesacceleration, deceleration, speeding up, slowing down, speedup
swervingunswervingly
Without changing direction
holding firm · standing fast · persevering · staying true · keeping faith