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
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
Thinking about the pendulum careening back the other way reminded me of something from an interview about five years ago, as the Chiefs were seeking to repeat after winning their first Super Bowl in 50 years.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026
The resulting film, Marty Supreme, follows Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), a cunning, ambitious table tennis player from the Lower East side careening through a series of frantic confrontations in 1950s New York City.
—Julien Levy, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
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
Thinking about the pendulum careening back the other way reminded me of something from an interview about five years ago, as the Chiefs were seeking to repeat after winning their first Super Bowl in 50 years.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026
The resulting film, Marty Supreme, follows Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), a cunning, ambitious table tennis player from the Lower East side careening through a series of frantic confrontations in 1950s New York City.
—Julien Levy, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careen
Verb
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When her car began to lurch forward, an agent near the front left-side of the SUV drew his gun and shot her at close range.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
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Natanya complicates her old-school character sketch with cerebral shifts in perspective, affecting each of the voices that accompany a young woman’s drive for success and independence (demanding friends and parents, sexist expectations, her own willpower) in a lurching cascade of melodies.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Bills had a pretty cushy road schedule this year, playing once outside the Eastern time zone, yet staggered around early.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Packers staggered to the finish with a four-game losing streak but will have quarterback Jordan Love (concussion) back.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 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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Age has brought thoughts of conservatism scurrying into the back of his mind.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Australian scientists believe increasingly crowded waters and rising ocean temperatures are swaying sharks' migratory patterns, which may be contributing to a rise in attacks.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Millennials, resolute in their fatigue, are less swayed by surface-level marketing and more attuned to what actually makes work sustainable.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The art of being human includes admitting mistakes, a feature developers are increasingly weaving into AI systems.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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For the first time, Colombian singer-songwriter Gusi and Guatemalan singer-songwriter Zelaya unite their talents, weaving together the vibrant spirit of their homelands in a song that celebrates love and the richness of life.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When officers decided to pull him over and arrest him, Larkin sped off on East 83rd Avenue.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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How has that changed as the production schedule has sped up and the content has also matured?—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Harbaugh is now the top coach on a market rocked by his availability.—
Mark Maske,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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After rocking her signature long locks for years, the Ocean's Eight actress went for the big chop this fall and is now sporting a lob.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Anthony Black got the ball and hurried up the floor.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
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Simmons and Schweitzer viewed that as a tactic to save money and hurry officers back to work.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careen. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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