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 Surveillance video of the incident shows the white vehicle involved in the collision sideswiping a car in the opposite lane, then careening toward the crosswalk that moments earlier a pedestrian had entered with a dog. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 Video then shows a sedan careening toward the driver and his vehicle. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The truck lost a tire before careening off the highway and into Nimishillen Creek. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 One Life Stand is the heart-on-the-sleeve album the group had been careening toward. — David Harris, SPIN, 21 July 2026 The impact sent the Hyundai over the curb and careening into the pedestrian before striking a parked 2026 Hyundai Odyssey, cops said. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careening
  1. lurching
  2. staggering
  3. speeding
  4. swaying
  5. weaving
  6. scurrying
  7. rocking
  8. hurrying
Verb
  • The United States, which had been lurching toward entry in the Second World War, was suddenly and inescapably thrust into global conflict.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Republicans see Democrats lurching to the left and embracing socialism as an opening to link their opponents to the far more radical communism.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 4 Aug. 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
  • On May 25, that same man drove his speeding car through two red lights, hitting a car that hit my parents, injuring my mother fatally.
    — Rachel Sales, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The evidence showed that Kaur hadn’t been drinking and wasn’t speeding.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of speeding
Verb
  • Styled after a tropical paradise with swaying palm trees, Lost Island Waterpark offers endless aquatic fun during its summertime opening season, with slides, rides, and attractions.
    — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026
  • After a few hours under the hot sun, there was no better cool down than swaying to Babyface classics.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 22, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of swaying
Verb
  • The tech leaders were the tailors, weaving something elaborate out of nothing.
    — Jeremy Macliver, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The carry-on, medium, and large suitcase all feature durable hardshell exteriors, TSA locks, and spinner wheels that make weaving through crowded terminals much easier.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaving
Verb
  • Set on a stage at the very highest level of the stands, that similarly crowded performance looked like a Grammys medley on video but must have resembled ants scurrying around a screensaver to much of the in-person audience.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 19 July 2026
  • McClair, a scurrying cerebral Glaswegian signed from Celtic and one of the few players to outsmart his boss Sir Alex Ferguson, had become the first in 20 years, since Best, to score 20 league goals for United.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of scurrying
Verb
  • In a photo posted to her Instagram account on August 8, the mom of three showed off her toned muscles while rocking a resistance band and balancing her hands on a set of free weights.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The newlyweds were first spotted looking cozy at a brunch in September 2024 while the political scion was still engaged and Guilfoyle, 57, rocking her ring.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of rocking
Verb
  • That’s how Drake Maye ended his latest two-minute drill at Patriots training camp Monday, a meandering march that began around midfield and ended with Maye hurrying the offense to the 3-yard line with 10 seconds on the clock.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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 11 Aug. 2026.

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