1
as in lurched
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 staggered
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 sped
to proceed or move quickly
sounding its siren, an ambulance careened through the intersection
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Recent Examples of careened
In a clip from the moment during the third inning, the Puerto Rican artist — whose real name is Benito Martínez Ocasio — initially shielded his head with his arm as the ball careened over the netting and began to fall near his seat.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Three years ago this week, Hardy was on his way back from a concert in Bristol, Tennessee, when his tour bus careened off the road and rolled down an embankment.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The hype cycle has careened straight into doomsday-prepper territory where the voices are loud, alarmist, and largely missing the plot.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
When one of Hicks’ pitches to Cruz careened past Narváez, both runners attempted to score.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Its saga began in January 2018 when a car careened off Torrey Pines Road onto the adjacent hillside, landing in the yard of one of the Coast Walk houses below.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Kight was allegedly looking back at someone being pulled by his boat when his boat careened toward the swimmers, Green said.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
No one was on the barge when the helicopter careened into it and the fire has been extinguished, said the state patrol.
—Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
And Rodolfo Fernandez de Velasco, 71, was found dead in his vehicle with the driver’s side seat belt fastened tightly around his neck after his car careened into a fence in Miami in January.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Three years ago this week, Hardy was on his way back from a concert in Bristol, Tennessee, when his tour bus careened off the road and rolled down an embankment.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The hype cycle has careened straight into doomsday-prepper territory where the voices are loud, alarmist, and largely missing the plot.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
When one of Hicks’ pitches to Cruz careened past Narváez, both runners attempted to score.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Its saga began in January 2018 when a car careened off Torrey Pines Road onto the adjacent hillside, landing in the yard of one of the Coast Walk houses below.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Kight was allegedly looking back at someone being pulled by his boat when his boat careened toward the swimmers, Green said.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
No one was on the barge when the helicopter careened into it and the fire has been extinguished, said the state patrol.
—Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
And Rodolfo Fernandez de Velasco, 71, was found dead in his vehicle with the driver’s side seat belt fastened tightly around his neck after his car careened into a fence in Miami in January.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careened
Verb
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Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The escalator lurched to a halt just after the pair got on.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The next cuts will be staggered — 10 more workers will be laid off later this month, followed by 30 in December, and 10 in late January.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Oct. 2025
-
They are elected to four-year terms, with elections staggered every two years.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Four additional rounds were heard as the vehicle sped past South 76th Street and in the 7800 block of West Lapham Street, with speeds exceeding 80 mph.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Police are following up on reports that a truck and a car sped away.—
Jennifer Edwards Baker,
Fox 19 Cincinnati,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What matters is signaling one isn’t listening and won’t be swayed.—
Abraham Rutchick,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
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Many in the crowd of nearly 200 people clapped to the tempo and swayed to the beat.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After a replay review confirmed the second-down call, Auburn’s offense raced to the line in tush-push formation — the running backs behind Arnold, ready to shove him forward — on third down.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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In the second quarter, Dunbar’s offense found some life with a stellar play from quarterback Marcus McDade, who faked a handoff and raced 47 yards for a touchdown while making a few defenders miss tackles.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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D’Angelo’s death has rocked fans and fellow artists, but nobody is feeling the weight of this grief more than his children.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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Mass protests in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines in recent years have also rocked South and Southeast Asia as young people fight against poverty and corruption.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some firms have scurried to ship early, but even a few days’ delay at sea could blow up their margins.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
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The eye midge may have implanted itself elsewhere and there’s no telling where those other icky creatures from Prodigy’s labs have scurried off to, but those are questions that will no doubt be answered once/if FX announces a second season.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The losses shook investors’ confidence in Milei’s ability to see through his economic reforms.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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The unit shook off the penalties and miscues to contain a talented Oklahoma defensive line.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careened. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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