1
as in lurching
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 staggering
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 speeding
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 careening
Then there were the gym class scooters, which were basically just a flat plastic surface and four wheels of death that would send you careening across the gym floor, often crushing your fingers in the process.
—
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
The outlook isn’t good for the Kings, who have gotten older without fixing the roster imbalance that sent them careening toward play-in tournament losses each of the past two seasons.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
André Marques was killed when the tram derailed during evening rush hour in Lisbon, Portugal and went careening into a building, Sitra (Transport Workers' Union) announced this afternoon.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Eyewitnesses reported seeing one of the railway’s two cars derailing and careening down the street before hitting a building.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
There’s no word on whether the careening bullet train will allow for drag queen fashion and performance challenges typical of the Drag Race TV series.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Of their 26 games, 20 are against teams with winning records while three are against the pesky Marlins and three are against the careening Nationals.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
That corpse and everything pertaining to it turns into the film’s Achille’s heel, producing a hazy mystery that gets lost amid the chaos of careening and colliding side stories.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, Jun’s aunt and uncle, Eleanor Rigby and Hey Jude, are sweetly careening through their own soundtrack, in their own dance-time, her cheek resting on his chest, his cheek resting atop her head.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
The outlook isn’t good for the Kings, who have gotten older without fixing the roster imbalance that sent them careening toward play-in tournament losses each of the past two seasons.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
André Marques was killed when the tram derailed during evening rush hour in Lisbon, Portugal and went careening into a building, Sitra (Transport Workers' Union) announced this afternoon.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Eyewitnesses reported seeing one of the railway’s two cars derailing and careening down the street before hitting a building.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
There’s no word on whether the careening bullet train will allow for drag queen fashion and performance challenges typical of the Drag Race TV series.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Of their 26 games, 20 are against teams with winning records while three are against the pesky Marlins and three are against the careening Nationals.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
That corpse and everything pertaining to it turns into the film’s Achille’s heel, producing a hazy mystery that gets lost amid the chaos of careening and colliding side stories.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, Jun’s aunt and uncle, Eleanor Rigby and Hey Jude, are sweetly careening through their own soundtrack, in their own dance-time, her cheek resting on his chest, his cheek resting atop her head.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careening
Verb
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But while the new movie dawdles on its way to Toxie’s origins, then rushes toward a finale with a lurching rhythm that verges on calculated ineptitude, its spirit never feels inauthentic.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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The result, nearly eight months into his second term, is an economy that appears to be lurching into a new era of state control.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The young men in Bruins blue and gold staggering off the field afterwards dazed, confused.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
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Roughly two-thirds of the state’s billionaires made their fortunes in finance and investments, including richest resident (former NYC mayor) Michael Bloomberg, who’s worth staggering $109 billion.—
Ella Malmgren,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The outlets report that footage of the stunt show posted on social media shows speeding cars spinning on the road with smoke coming from their tailpipes.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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The natural rate of decline in output from the world's oil and gas fields is speeding up, owing to more reliance on shale and deep offshore resources, the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday.—
Seher Dareen,
Reuters,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The sun is out, there’s a cool breeze, and the tree leaves are swaying in the breeze.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
12 Sep. 2025
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The crowd was especially amped up during the performance, with Ciara among many in the audience standing up and swaying (and seemingly singing) along.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here, Eady speaks with Deadline about the fun of weaving a fantastical and spiritual tale about the real threats of land loss and economic hardships in the Black community.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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Guzman fell in love with the way Williams captures the beauty of everyday life, weaving humor, heartache and joy into a story that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then, either a heave, or some scurrying around and then a heave.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
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There were quick glimpses of a Monty Mole burrowing underground, Cheep Cheeps swimming in a stream and Toads scurrying around the castle.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal and Severance's Tramell Tillman — who are both nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama — both arrived rocking all-white looks that were pure magic.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
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At the same time Moss was rocking an earring and quoting Jeezy, Surtain was rounding into an All-American at Alabama.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Before the new regulations, says Annie Inglis, Marine Biology Presenter with Quark, the expedition crew would be hurrying to get guests in Zodiacs to try to get closer to a bear sighting like this.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careening. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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