1
as in to lurch
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 to stagger
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 to scurry
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 careen
The United States careens toward a constitutional crisis, writes columnist Jackie Calmes.
—
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
But the simplicity of the sequence of events — Smith’s shot perfectly careening off the side of the rim and Şengün’s subsequent positioning for the putback — was indicative of Houston’s rebounding prowess.
—Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
In the deep quiet, there was nothing to stop my thoughts from racing at top speed, looping, roving, circling, meandering, searching, careening between past regrets and future hopes, pinballing between wanting and not wanting things but mostly hating everything, including myself.
—Kate Siber, Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2025
An influx of migrants, leading to a spate of high-profile violent attacks, has only added to a sense that the country is careening off course.
—Mark Sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
But the simplicity of the sequence of events — Smith’s shot perfectly careening off the side of the rim and Şengün’s subsequent positioning for the putback — was indicative of Houston’s rebounding prowess.
—Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
In the deep quiet, there was nothing to stop my thoughts from racing at top speed, looping, roving, circling, meandering, searching, careening between past regrets and future hopes, pinballing between wanting and not wanting things but mostly hating everything, including myself.
—Kate Siber, Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2025
An influx of migrants, leading to a spate of high-profile violent attacks, has only added to a sense that the country is careening off course.
—Mark Sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careen
Verb
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But the ruling did little to herald any political stability in the country, which has lurched from crisis to crisis.—
Choe Sang-Hun,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
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For the last six weeks, Americans have been yanked and ghosted, lurched and launched with a merciless urgency.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Payments are staggered based on recipients’ birthdays, with those born in the first 10 days of a month receiving their checks on the second Wednesday, and so on.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
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And 20 of the 40 seats in the California State Senate (which has four-year terms) will also be contested, as Senate seats are staggered with half up for election every two years.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Just before the tornado touched down, 445 graduates of Joplin High School had just completed their graduation ceremony and had to scurry to find cover.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
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Getty Images While the TikTok ban has lawmakers scurrying and chatter about Chinese influence over U.S. tech at a fever pitch, another danger is lurking.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Science fiction becomes a shopping reality: Gen AI tools are replacing search engines; social media platforms are becoming purchase powerhouses; and influencers—ordinary people in almost every conceivable way—now have epic reach and sway.—
Lindsey Mazza,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Organizers hope the nationwide protests will sway lawmakers on issues such as voting rights, social services, and economic policy.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The showcase is a tribute to the work of 23 Polish designers and how their storytelling weaves into Poland’s design culture.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2025
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However, as with that piece, Macdonald needed to find a bigger story to weave around this legendary moment in time.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This speeds up diagnostic processes, ensures timely reporting and facilitates rapid decision-making in emergency cases.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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The white Jeep slowed down when police turned on their lights, but the Nissan allegedly sped westbound on Truman Road to Interstate 70, reaching 115 MPH, according to court documents.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Nintendo rocked the video game world last week with the unveiling of its new console the Switch 2, its price and, most surprisingly, a driving cow.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2025
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These guys can still rock, 60 years after their first top-10 hit, if a bit tempered by age.—
Greg Palkot,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The replacement crew's brand new SpaceX capsule still wasn't ready to fly, so SpaceX subbed it with a used one, hurrying things along by at least a few weeks.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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But once Friday night surge prices spike to unprecedented highs and he’s tasked between accepting more rides or hurrying over to the club for his duet with Janine, he’s caught between his trademark pragmatism and his newfound romance.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careen. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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