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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of careened
This one careened off Xavier Hutchinson’s hands and into the waiting arms of safety Craig Woodson.
—
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
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
In the months since, the two countries have careened from crisis to crisis.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
His car hit both highway walls then careened over a snowbank and fell 70 feet.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
That was bad news for Kermit the Frog, who careened into a tree and ripped.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
More than one person fell victim to wayward gourds that careened down Midland Road to the cheers and groans of an eager audience.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
Hours later, the vessel careened into a nearby bridge, ejecting 19-year-old Mallory Beach into the dark water.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
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
In the months since, the two countries have careened from crisis to crisis.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
His car hit both highway walls then careened over a snowbank and fell 70 feet.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
That was bad news for Kermit the Frog, who careened into a tree and ripped.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
More than one person fell victim to wayward gourds that careened down Midland Road to the cheers and groans of an eager audience.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
Hours later, the vessel careened into a nearby bridge, ejecting 19-year-old Mallory Beach into the dark water.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careened
Verb
-
The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The compound is oriented toward uninterrupted ranch land and the distant Santa Lucia Mountain views, with the buildings staggered to carve out smaller courts, decks and views that let relatives stay close but not crowded.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Start times are staggered to spread out participants.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to a preliminary investigation, the crash occurred when the white Nissan sped south on Virginia Avenue.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Streamed live on YouTube, the two and half hour ceremony was (blissfully) commercial free, which sped things up but meant guests didn’t have the usual opportunity to mix and mingle.—
Paul Chi,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the technology giant has shown in recent months that it can be swayed.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Not swayed by the team’s second-half surge, Moorad fired him in October with the Padres at 74-85.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Furnell’s team raced on the track at the Cortina Sliding Centre during the International Bobsleigh Federation’s World Cup in November and finished seventh out of 31 teams.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Their lungs raced while their quads screamed.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alba rocked one of her favorite bikinis—a playful boho paisley and animal print number in deep shades of red and orange.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
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Monday’s shooting came nearly two months after Rhode Island was rocked by a shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and wounded nine others, as well as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor.—
Kimberlee Kruesi,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 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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Tirado scurried to at least half a dozen bags before finding his and pulling out … pickle juice.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Knight shook her head and reiterated that this was indeed her final Olympic game.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Their deaths shook this state and the nation.—
Kenety S. Gee,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careened. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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