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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of careen
Video shows a car careening off a nearby road and crashing into the Clay-Ray Veterans Memorial Hall in Excelsior Springs.
—
Kerry Breen
may 30, CBS News, 30 May 2025
In 1902, another Caribbean volcano eruption sent a deadly mix of hot gas and ash and rock careening through a nearby city at 300 miles an hour, killing 27,000 people.
—Byrd Pinkerton, Vox, 16 May 2025
Doerr, meanwhile, creates a tender kind of suspense, alive and surprising and hopeful without careening into schmaltz.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Here, Josh O’Connor plays J.B. Mooney (what a name!), an art thief who falls down a hole of his own digging, as a poorly hatched job to rip off a series of Arthur Dove abstract paintings from a fictional Massachusetts museum sends his private and family lives careening out of his grasp.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Kerry Breen
may 30, CBS News, 30 May 2025
In 1902, another Caribbean volcano eruption sent a deadly mix of hot gas and ash and rock careening through a nearby city at 300 miles an hour, killing 27,000 people.
—Byrd Pinkerton, Vox, 16 May 2025
Doerr, meanwhile, creates a tender kind of suspense, alive and surprising and hopeful without careening into schmaltz.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Here, Josh O’Connor plays J.B. Mooney (what a name!), an art thief who falls down a hole of his own digging, as a poorly hatched job to rip off a series of Arthur Dove abstract paintings from a fictional Massachusetts museum sends his private and family lives careening out of his grasp.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careen
Verb
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The world is lurching toward autocracy, with alarming speed.—
Elisa Manfredini,
Time,
14 June 2025
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In the final moments, Molly lurches forward into this brave new world, with nothing but the overalls on her back and her best friend who can barely start her car.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
Verb
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Elena Guseva’s soprano staggers in its power and control, retaining its hue even at lofty peaks.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
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Mayors are elected by council members who have staggered four-year terms and are elected by citizens.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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The rats all scurry out of an ominous rustling bush, making their own little Fast and the Furriest sequel.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
6 June 2025
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Several of the party’s candidates scurried around the Anaheim convention center, trying to curry favor with the state’s most liberal activists while also drawing contrasts with their rivals.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The White House’s fiscal policies will sway earnings too, as tax cuts, the end of certain tax credits, more spending on defense, and less spending on the social safety net ripple through corporate America and consumers.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
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The whipsaw of global trade negotiations can quickly sway market sentiment and pose an ongoing threat to the strength of this rally.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
29 June 2025
Verb
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The deeper issue is the steady, often unnoticed disruption of noise woven into every part of life, at home, work, and our social environments.—
Bill Schiffmiller,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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The Foundation’s long-term roadmap weaves three strands—education, technology, and policy—into a single braid of change.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
Verb
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For such projects, L.A. County is expediting permitting timelines to speed up fire recovery.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
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Cynthia, seeing Carmen and Julius bleeding, sped to the hospital, one minute away, but Carmen was pronounced dead on arrival.—
Sally Ventura
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Two seagulls rode the air with outstretched wings, rocking side to side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 June 2025
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As Tyler Durden, Pitt struts with a cigarette in his mouth, rocking his sunglasses and trademark jackets.—
Derek Scancarelli,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The woman and her caretaker hurried home after spotting the animal, the outlet noted.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
12 June 2025
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The ship’s list was already so pronounced that the drawer of the café’s cash register was slung open, and the pair were passed by officers and stewards hurrying to their boat stations, their arms out to each side like customers negotiating the tumbling barrel of a fun house.—
Jim Shepard,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careen. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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