swoop

1 of 2

verb

swooped; swooping; swoops

intransitive verb

: to move with a sweep

transitive verb

: to gain or carry off in or as if in a swoop
usually used with up
swooper noun

swoop

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act or instance of swooping
2
: a single concentrated and quickly effective effort
was done in one swoop
often used with fell
solved everything at one fell swoop

Examples of swoop in a Sentence

Verb The police swooped in and captured the criminals.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
But, as Chang writes, the many social movements and political factions that sprouted had only a brief interval to jockey for power before the Soviet Union and the U.S. swooped in. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 Just before Louise gets kidnapped off the street, Joe — who was, conveniently, stalking her at the time — swoops in to brain that dude with a brick. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Regardless of what happens in Washington, cutting through permitting and interconnection red tape to enable rapid and cost-effective solar deployment is a no-regrets move that will help protect the environment, support local businesses, and lower household energy bills in one fell swoop. Noah Ginsburg, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025 And to sweeten the deal, both properties are brimming with all sorts of native mammals, birds and reptiles, providing plenty of opportunities for relaxation and ecotourism all in one fell swoop. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swoop

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English swopen to sweep, from Old English swāpan — more at sweep

First Known Use

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swoop was in 1566

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swoop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swoop. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

swoop

1 of 2 verb
: to dive or pounce suddenly like a hawk on its prey

swoop

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of swooping
2
: a single quickly effective effort
often used with fell
solved everything at one fell swoop

More from Merriam-Webster on swoop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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