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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of careen
In the North Jersey town of Bethlehem, a hit-and-run driver struck a pickup truck on Interstate 78, sending it careening into a tractor-trailer parked on the side of the highway, police said.
—
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
As the Netflix medical drama begins, an oncoming hurricane causes a bus of student athletes to careen off a bridge into the ocean.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
The series opens with a school bus careening off a bridge and plunging into the water below and only gets wilder from there.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
But with no immediate answer under center, the search may be careening toward a star with more baggage than recent wins.
—Ryan Deto, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
As the Netflix medical drama begins, an oncoming hurricane causes a bus of student athletes to careen off a bridge into the ocean.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
The series opens with a school bus careening off a bridge and plunging into the water below and only gets wilder from there.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
But with no immediate answer under center, the search may be careening toward a star with more baggage than recent wins.
—Ryan Deto, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careen
Verb
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Many young people then in high school may not have lost so much faith in institutions; some may not have lurched so dramatically to the political right.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2025
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His unsteady performance has left markets lurching from one crisis to another, and his contempt for tradition continues to rattle both Washington institutionalists and Wall Street investors.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As Harry staggers away from what's left of his victim, Richie seems satisfied.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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The data collection efforts that have been shut down or are at risk of being curtailed are staggering in their breadth.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Their eyes are more sensitive to movement, so fast-moving visuals—like scurrying mice—are particularly engaging.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Dismounting, the ship’s captain unlocked the outer gate, and his men scurried into the courtyard, squeezing through the small door that led into the gunpowder room.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The danger here is that with a potentially unlimited amount of money to be handed out with no public input, the political figures on the corporate board could be swayed to play favorites for reasons disconnected from infrastructure improvement.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
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My son swayed gently between my legs, still wearing last night’s jammies, azure eyes trained on the flutist’s quivering embouchure.—
Ashlea Halpern,
AFAR Media,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Tomato plants naturally weave in and out of the support system.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2025
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Read on for more hotels that are woven into the very fabric of their destinations.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2025
Verb
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RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 sped to a strong finish on MTV.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2025
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Nose Mode, for instance, prompts you to hold the camera between your teeth and results in caricature-like videos where your head is enormous, your body is shrunken, and your movements are sped up.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Often, the riders are geared up with helmets and motorcycle-style padded jackets, boots, gloves, and pants, unlike the Texas daredevil who is rocking some shorts and a t-shirt—and that’s about it.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Ball Arena was rocking like the 2022 Cup final; the energy and electricity in the air were unbelievable.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Ron hurried to change positions before the tom flew down.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
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Traders in January hurried to build up inventories ahead of tariffs, according to a recent USA TODAY analysis.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careen. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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