swoop

About 0.49 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To fly or glide downwards suddenly; to plunge (in the air) or nosedive.

   The lone eagle swooped down into the lake, snatching its prey, a small fish.

2. verb To move swiftly, as if with a sweeping movement, especially to attack something.

   The dog had enthusiastically swooped down on the bone.

3. verb To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing.
4. verb To seize; to catch up; to take with a sweep.
5. verb To pass with pomp; to sweep.
6. verb To search the ground for discarded cigarette butts that can be made into new cigarettes.
7. noun An instance, or the act of suddenly plunging downward.

   The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. – Sun Tzu

8. noun A sudden act of seizing.

Similar words

slide pounce swoop up punch slap blow attack shot melt offensive

Often followed by

down of and in on upon to the into

Word family

swooped swooper swoopers swooping swoops