veer
Take sudden turn
Veer means to change direction abruptly or swerve: The car veered off the road, The conversation veered into politics.
It suggests a sudden shift rather than a gradual turn.
Wind veers when it shifts clockwise.
Figuratively, opinions or plans veer when they change course unexpectedly: Public sentiment veered sharply after the scandal.
Abrupt directional change
Movement or work period
- changeTo make different
- divergeSeparate into directions
- deviateTurn from course
- strayWander from course
wander · drift · digress · depart · pivot · redirect · transition · swing
Abrupt directional change
swerve
Abrupt directional change
diverge · deviate · shift · angle · hook · arc · bank · bear · swing · slew
shift
Movement or work period
stray · wander · drift · digress · depart · pivot · redirect · transition · swing · fluctuate
swerve
Abrupt directional change
sidestep · skid · careen · zigzag · jolt · whip · snap · dart · flinch · recoil
steer
Direct movement or castrated bull
bearing · rudder · compass · heading · chart · pilot · nautical · windward · leeward · port
shift
Movement or work period
change · clockwise · wind direction · meteorology · weather · breeze · squall · variable · frontal · atmospheric
veerstraighten
Make linear or orderly
stay the course · go straight · keep straight · hold steady · correct