1
as in to lurch
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the sled careened as it barreled down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side
he careened unsteadily to the couch after hitting his head
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to scurry
to proceed or move quickly
sounding its siren, an ambulance careened through the intersection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of careen
In 2013, when the government careened toward default before raising the debt limit at the last minute, the economy lost 1% of GDP.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 June 2025
After a few iterations of this, the vehicle might careen off the track altogether.
—ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
The striker did the rest, firing home via a deflection and careening into the embrace of the first rows, beyond delirious.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 20 June 2025
The footage showed a white SUV rolling through a stop sign and careening into Cervantes’ black sedan at the intersection in midtown Sacramento.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 June 2025
After a few iterations of this, the vehicle might careen off the track altogether.
—ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
The striker did the rest, firing home via a deflection and careening into the embrace of the first rows, beyond delirious.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 20 June 2025
The footage showed a white SUV rolling through a stop sign and careening into Cervantes’ black sedan at the intersection in midtown Sacramento.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careen
Verb
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But that’s not enough opposition to stop CPS from lurching substantially further toward insolvency if Harden and interim school Superintendent Macquline King choose that route.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
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Like Germany after the defeat of Hitler, Argentina lurched back and forth between judging its past crimes and trying to move beyond them.—
Julia M. Klein,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
Verb
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According to the terms of the proposal, the release of the 10 living hostages and 15 bodies will be staggered over the 60-day period the temporary ceasefire is in effect.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 July 2025
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The victim staggered up to the mezzanine before collapsing at a turnstile, according to an MTA worker.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Three live roaches scurried in front counter cabinets with single service items are stored.—
David J. Neal
August 1,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
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For more than 70 years, thousands of common wall lizards, known as Lazarus lizards, have scurried across sidewalks and lurked in gardens in Cincinnati.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Also, a covert foreign influence campaign aimed at swaying public opinion and sowing discord through fake social media posts.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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And as the administrative district judge who sets the judicial rules for the region and helps assign the capital city’s cases, Hippler has sway over who gets picked, Idaho courts spokesperson Nate Poppino told the Idaho Statesman, despite the judge’s public umbrage about receiving the assignment.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Gran Sasso National Park has trails that weave through medieval villages, crumbling castles, and valleys where wild horses still roam.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
23 July 2025
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The new agreement aims to lift these trials out of the margins and weave them more fully into the fabric of government.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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This speeds up corrections, reduces waste and minimizes the need for manual inspection.—
Robert Kramer,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Prosecutors allege that as Salisbury approached the driveway, Stephens sped toward the officer, who attempted to evade the Jeep by moving behind a bush near the driveway’s entrance.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Kenosha rocked by civil unrest The city of Kenosha was rocked by civil unrest in 2020 after a police officer shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
25 July 2025
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Last year, Marvel Studios' Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con rocked the pop culture convention and broke the internet.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Archer’s first delivery, timed at 87.4mph, hurried the left-handed Jaiswal.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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The scene from election night On June 24, the night of the most recent meeting, members hurried into the Picnic House to hear the results of the votes.—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careen. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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