swoop

To fly suddenly downward, often to catch something.

• A bird swooped down.
• The owl swooped on a mouse.
• Gulls swoop over the water looking for fish.

How to use it: swoop down on something (The hawk swooped down on its prey.)

Similar words: dive, plunge

Common phrases: swoop down, swoop over something, swoop on something

To move quickly toward someone or something, often to attack or take it.

• Police swooped on the house.
• She swooped in and grabbed the last ticket.
• The dog swooped down on the dropped sandwich.

How to use it: swoop on someone/something (Officers swooped on the warehouse at dawn.)

Similar words: pounce, descend

Common phrases: swoop on someone, swoop in, swoop down

A sudden movement down through the air.

• The bird caught it with a swoop.
• We watched the eagle’s graceful swoop.
• A sudden swoop brought the falcon close to us.

Similar words: dive, plunge

Common phrases: sudden swoop, downward swoop, swoop of something