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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of careen
After sliding about 1,000 vertical feet, Bhatta careened into a patch of snow and stopped.
—
Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
Three people were injured when two vehicles collided, sending one careening into automotive shop on a Kansas City corner, a fire department spokesman said.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
The collision sent the fire truck careening into an Access-a-Ride bus, which in turn slammed into a Lexus SUV, police said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Even as nearly every impact name in the room around him received a nice handout from the Walton-Penner ownership group, Franklin-Myers continued to remain gracious to Denver and never careened around in public with his demands for a new contract.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careen
Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
Three people were injured when two vehicles collided, sending one careening into automotive shop on a Kansas City corner, a fire department spokesman said.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
The collision sent the fire truck careening into an Access-a-Ride bus, which in turn slammed into a Lexus SUV, police said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Even as nearly every impact name in the room around him received a nice handout from the Walton-Penner ownership group, Franklin-Myers continued to remain gracious to Denver and never careened around in public with his demands for a new contract.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careen
Verb
-
The leftward lurch could cost Republicans control of Congress for the president’s final two years in office.—
Steve Peoples,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
Stack your left foot on top of your right, or stagger your feet so both are on the ground.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The two would stagger back into the house, sweaty, looking a mess and talking a mess, too.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With Game 3 of the World Series underway at Dodger Stadium last October, a few folks scurried across a pedestrian bridge with LED lights and blue glow sticks.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Bees and wasps wing past, leafhoppers spring, and beetles scurry for cover.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Beyond fuel concerns, speeding also is a safety risk.—
Matthew Daly,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Keeping forearms grounded, press through your toes and shift your weight forward so that your whole body rocks forward several inches.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The race is expected to be tight and follows a campaign rocked by allegations of foreign interference that stunned the traditionally moderate EU country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But hurry, the retailer deemed it a popular pick, so grab it before it's gone.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The district was represented by general counsel Devora Navera Reed as well as by an outside counsel who hurried to the scene.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careen. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
