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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of careen
About 30 seconds later, FHP Trooper Major executed the PIT, sending Randolph’s truck careening into a concrete wall and then into Bouffard’s car.
—
Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Boxing scenes in movies, other than in a handful of classics, tend to start to look all the same, a mishmash of beads of sweat and blood and jowels distended, all fists flying and battering as two men catapult and careen across the ring.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Intensifying violence in the Middle East could send oil prices careening above their all-time high, raising the risk of higher inflation and slower economic growth, experts said.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
After sliding about 1,000 vertical feet, Bhatta careened into a patch of snow and stopped.
—Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careen
Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Boxing scenes in movies, other than in a handful of classics, tend to start to look all the same, a mishmash of beads of sweat and blood and jowels distended, all fists flying and battering as two men catapult and careen across the ring.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Intensifying violence in the Middle East could send oil prices careening above their all-time high, raising the risk of higher inflation and slower economic growth, experts said.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
After sliding about 1,000 vertical feet, Bhatta careened into a patch of snow and stopped.
—Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careen
Verb
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Don’t gag, don’t cry — and my stomach lurched.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
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The leftward lurch could cost Republicans control of Congress for the president’s final two years in office.—
Steve Peoples,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Plus, the Herro and Powell minutes likely will continue to be as staggered as when one started and one played in reserve, with Herro subbed out midway through Wednesday night’s first quarter.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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He looks staggered at first, then disgusted, and, finally, proud.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Going outside now means scurrying along giant arcades, shaded from the Sun by massive canopies that filter 99% of its UV light.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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But here from West Palm Beach’s cheap seats, people scurrying inside glass conjures up those halcyon summers of magnifying glasses, ants and mean kids.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Anunoby isn’t convinced the New York spotlight will be enough to sway voters.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
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But Joy isn’t swayed by his appeal.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Beyond the vitrines of watches that weave throughout the space is another enclave with banquette seating to also be used for appointments.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
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The 20-track LP serves as equal parts music and cinema in which Crockett weaves a tale of McLane as a cattle rustler on the run from the law who — eventually — gets his redemption.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Radical changes announced in February by new NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to speed up the country’s return to the moon could make the program more reliant on SpaceX on future launches.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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If the state approves these changes, New York City will be able to speed up too — our administration will ensure that rezoning applications can begin public review in six months or less.—
Leila Bozorg,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The horrific shooting has rocked the Plainville community, with its reverberations being felt throughout the state.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
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Saves, steals and other delights Carlos Estevez was rocked in his season debut for the Royals, retiring just one batter and allowing four hits, two free passes and a no-doubt walk-off grand slam to Dom Smith.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An agent pointed to the other end of the terminal, and the woman hurried off.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
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But hurry, the retailer deemed it a popular pick, so grab it before it's gone.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careen. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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