careening

verb

present participle of careen
1
as in lurching
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 staggering
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 speeding
to proceed or move quickly sounding its siren, an ambulance careened through the intersection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of careening That volatility mirrors the album’s overall mood and thematic POV; TOY COLLAGES feels like one big, bad trip, Dean careening through the existential delusions of those around them before turning toward their own. — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026 The collision sent Bowie careening into a minivan parked nearby. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026 An attempt to slow the plane by grabbing onto the wing only results in the wing snapping off while the fuselage keeps careening towards the ground. — James Grebey, Time, 26 June 2026 The crash in the Houston suburb of Katy gained immense attention after video from the incident showed the car careening into the side of the home. — Samantha Elkins, NBC news, 25 June 2026 Steele’s video shows a black Jeep Cherokee pass his vehicle on the left shoulder, hitting the front of his vehicle and careening across lanes of traffic to strike Wright’s SUV. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 23 June 2026 Dashcam footage posted on social media shows the aircraft careening down the highway, taking out a light post before coming to a stop. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 Dashcam footage posted on social media showed the aircraft careening down the highway, taking out a light post before coming to a stop. — CBS News, 17 June 2026 The pickup was careening all over the roadway, the deputy wrote later that day. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careening
  1. lurching
  2. staggering
  3. speeding
  4. swaying
  5. weaving
  6. scurrying
  7. rocking
  8. hurrying
Verb
  • The same boom-and-bust dependency on the oil industry, whose profits were now funnelled through the regime and its allies, kept the country lurching from one crisis to the next.
    — Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
  • The old guard of the Democratic Party suffered another body blow when three socialist congressional candidates in New York with anti-Israel platforms swept to victory, lurching the party even further to the left.
    — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 25 June 2026
Definition of lurching
Verb
  • The works depicted broken figures staggering toward the viewer in ragged uniforms — in distorted sizes, giant hands and small heads.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • The works depicted broken figures staggering toward the viewer in ragged uniforms — in distorted sizes, giant hand and small heads.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Definition of staggering
Verb
  • That’s nearly seven times faster than a speeding bullet, according to NASA.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
  • The four-season housewife kicked off the 20th-season premiere that aired on Thursday by sharing that her 17-year-old son, Greyson, was stopped by police for speeding.
    — Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 10 July 2026
Definition of speeding
Verb
  • In the weeks before the finale, viewers across social media platforms spun conspiracy theories, convinced that people with inside knowledge had been betting every step of the way, and potentially swaying the vote to ensure a bigger payout.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Kansas Citians soaked up the sun on Friday night, swing dancing, swaying and bopping along to Sheryl Crow on the FIFA Fan Fest stage.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Definition of swaying
Verb
  • At the time of the crash, Pace’s vehicle was allegedly weaving in and out of lanes at speeds above 90 miles per hour.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
  • Beyond weaving the pivotal Osage leader Governor Joe into the script, the production team constructed an entire Osage village, alongside the specific lodge where the meeting took place.
    — Max Gao, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
Definition of weaving
Verb
  • If seeing one scurrying through your living room sends you scrambling for a quick remedy, your instincts are on track.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • The cute animal, who was wearing a leash, was seen happily scurrying around the sandy coastline at sunset, while also taking a dip in the water, alongside Atkins' dog.
    — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Definition of scurrying
Verb
  • Later that day, Rowley was drenched in sweat, rocking back and forth and mumbling incoherently as the poison – later identified as Novichok, a Russian nerve agent – took hold of him, too.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • So if there are any cool women with great fashion sense who want to help a mom out who’s rocking sneakers and oversized T-shirts these days, hit me up, please.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026
Definition of rocking
Verb
  • Set over the course of eight years (including the lockdown period during COVID), Herry’s film unfolds fluidly, neither hurrying scenes up unnecessarily, nor lingering too long on any incident.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 17 May 2026
  • No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of hurrying

Browse Nearby Words

careened
careening
careens
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Cite this Entry

“Careening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careening. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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