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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The leftward lurch could cost Republicans control of Congress for the president’s final two years in office.—
Steve Peoples,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Since then, the larger culture has lurched rightward, with big corporations abandoning progressive signaling in favor of…other priorities.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
25 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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Among the hundreds in attendance was 27-year-old Adrian Aviles, holding a large American flag swaying in the wind from a PVC pipe.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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Simpson, who is a parent and whose husband is a teacher, acknowledged the flyer seeks to sway families away from charter schools.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The march continues to weave throughout the Plaza on its way back to Mill Creek Park as people shout various chants, blare music, pound on handheld drums and blow whistles.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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Concertmaster Erin Keefe’s violin playing acted as the voice of Scheherazade in the work, weaving a tale with life-or-death urgency.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Jeep driver slammed on the breaks and reversed, crashing into the front of Acosta’s patrol car and sped off, leaving the gate pieces on the road.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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Beyond fuel concerns, speeding also is a safety risk.—
Matthew Daly,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 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 4 Apr. 2026.
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