1
as in lurched
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 staggered
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 sped
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 careened
This one careened off Xavier Hutchinson’s hands and into the waiting arms of safety Craig Woodson.
—
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Police were on scene Monday afternoon in Granada Hills after a Tesla driver lost control and careened into the Ali Baba Persian Restaurant.
—Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
That’s when a Purdy pass got tipped at the line and careened off Christian McCaffrey’s hands into Drake Thomas’at the Seattle 3 for a comeback-crushing interception.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
In the months since, the two countries have careened from crisis to crisis.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
His car hit both highway walls then careened over a snowbank and fell 70 feet.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
That was bad news for Kermit the Frog, who careened into a tree and ripped.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
More than one person fell victim to wayward gourds that careened down Midland Road to the cheers and groans of an eager audience.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
Hours later, the vessel careened into a nearby bridge, ejecting 19-year-old Mallory Beach into the dark water.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Police were on scene Monday afternoon in Granada Hills after a Tesla driver lost control and careened into the Ali Baba Persian Restaurant.
—Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
That’s when a Purdy pass got tipped at the line and careened off Christian McCaffrey’s hands into Drake Thomas’at the Seattle 3 for a comeback-crushing interception.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
In the months since, the two countries have careened from crisis to crisis.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
His car hit both highway walls then careened over a snowbank and fell 70 feet.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
That was bad news for Kermit the Frog, who careened into a tree and ripped.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
More than one person fell victim to wayward gourds that careened down Midland Road to the cheers and groans of an eager audience.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
Hours later, the vessel careened into a nearby bridge, ejecting 19-year-old Mallory Beach into the dark water.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careened
Verb
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The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
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As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They were staggered, self-pitying, and seemingly traumatized by the denouement of the Joe Biden years.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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Ware has since moved to a bench role and Spoelstra has staggered the minutes of Adebayo and Ware for 16 straight games.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The attacker sped away in a red Nissan Altima, but that was the only clue investigators had for several years.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Typically, lawyers said, the scheduling of cases is sped up either by attorneys working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement or by the immigrants themselves.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pair swayed together before exchanging a kiss as the dancers surrounding them cheered and applauded.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
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Seattle Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald swayed with his eyes closed while New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stood tall with a hand over his heart.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The excitement is real — the first time Pastrana raced in the Daytona 500.—
Ryan Morik Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Inside an Irving Park bungalow, kids raced barefoot through the dining room, zooming past paper chains taped to the ceiling.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Recent grocery store closures have rocked the north side of Milwaukee, where growing food deserts – areas where quality food is difficult to find – have left entire neighborhoods without ready access to food.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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On May 17, a bomb rocked Palm Springs, California – shaking structures for several blocks, shattering glass and leveling one innocuous-looking building.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The clatter of rising shutters echoed through the empty streets, the occasional rambler scurried past, along the walls, bundled tightly in his coat, women walked by with milk bottles tucked in shawls wrapped around their chests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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Tirado scurried to at least half a dozen bags before finding his and pulling out … pickle juice.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Tomlyn asked, to which Chloe shook her head no.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
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And after Britain scored four stones to take the score to 10-5 in end seven, Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee and Lill Harri also called an end to their match and shook hands.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careened. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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