1
as in lurches
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 staggers
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 scurries
to proceed or move quickly
sounding its siren, an ambulance careened through the intersection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of careens
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen careens across the gravel after the rear of his car locks up during Qualifying for the first race of the season.
—
Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
With Good shot, the car then careens to the side of the road, crashing into a parked car.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2026
Delta Aurigid meteors appear each year as Earth careens through a debris trail left by an unknown comet.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
As their season careens to a close this week, with a 70-87 record going into Wednesday night, a last-place finish assured and the only record within reach being that for strikeouts in a season by the offense, contention seems as far away as it’s ever been.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
The up-and-comer goes all in as the film careens toward its gleefully gory finale, proving her scream queen bona fides with a commanding, vanity-free performance.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Their car careens off the road, hits a rock and dumps them into a river.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 8 Aug. 2025
Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
With Good shot, the car then careens to the side of the road, crashing into a parked car.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2026
Delta Aurigid meteors appear each year as Earth careens through a debris trail left by an unknown comet.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
As their season careens to a close this week, with a 70-87 record going into Wednesday night, a last-place finish assured and the only record within reach being that for strikeouts in a season by the offense, contention seems as far away as it’s ever been.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
The up-and-comer goes all in as the film careens toward its gleefully gory finale, proving her scream queen bona fides with a commanding, vanity-free performance.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Their car careens off the road, hits a rock and dumps them into a river.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careens
Verb
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The film unhurriedly lurches from one markedly similar fight scene to the next, with only Skeletor’s occasional injections of ripe innuendo to liven them up a bit.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
2 June 2026
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Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This all begs the question of why star formation staggers to a halt at 40,000 light-years from the galactic center.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That goes for much here, from the light that scurries away from Benjamín Echazarreta’s muted camera, to the moments of sweetness that punctuate Mariá Portugal’s largely ominous score.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 May 2026
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Bridgerton fans can spot the Old Royal Naval College mostly throughout season 2, like when a paperboy scurries across the grounds to deliver the latest gossip from Lady Whistledown in the first episode.—
Kayla Keegan,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Winter’s vocal presence imagines a fearless indie oddball like Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus going for the full prattling gusto of the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger; the band tussles and sways exhilaratingly underfoot.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
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The wheel sways ghoulishly behind him.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The story weaves together themes of migration, memory and intergenerational belonging, and was produced on a modest budget with no major stars or spectacle to drive ticket sales.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
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First released in May 2026 as a single ahead of her next album Whiskey & Hemingway, the song effortlessly weaves traditional American country elements with the singer's El Salvadoran heritage.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Heat speeds up chemical reactions in wine, which can ruin the flavor.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
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Adrenaline speeds up peristalsis, the contractions and constrictions of the intestines, while blood is diverted from the digestive system, which can cause nausea.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Taylor Swift rocks her signature glam for her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 11 in New York City.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
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Brunson notes that, in one episode, Janine rocks a ponytail.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Verb
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If someone hurries you, slow the exchange and name what feels good in your body, like sitting down before deciding on plans.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
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Nix almost always hurries his throws when a blitz comes Harvey’s way, regardless of whether the rookie RB picks it up capably or not.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careens. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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