26984 words

swoop

5 definitions • 6 examples
1
to move very quickly and easily through the air, especially down from a high position in order to attack:

Examples:

The eagle swooped down to snatch a young rabbit.
2
to make a sudden attack on a place or group of people in order to surround and catch them:

Examples:

Undercover police swooped on three houses in the city at 5.00 this morning.
3
an occasion when a place is suddenly attacked in order to surround or catch someone:

Examples:

He was arrested in an early morning swoop on his home.
Anti-terrorist police launched a massive swoop on suspected terrorist cells.
4
the act of moving quickly and easily through the air, especially down from a high position in order to attack:

Examples:

The bird lifted off for a graceful swoop below the ridge top.
5
to move quickly in a smooth path, esp. through the air:

Examples:

Swarms of birds swooped down from the sky.

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