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
The car careened off the highway, hit and crossed a central barrier, collided with a tree, and burst into flames.
—
Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 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
Three years ago this week, Hardy was on his way back from a concert in Bristol, Tennessee, when his tour bus careened off the road and rolled down an embankment.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The hype cycle has careened straight into doomsday-prepper territory where the voices are loud, alarmist, and largely missing the plot.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
When one of Hicks’ pitches to Cruz careened past Narváez, both runners attempted to score.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Its saga began in January 2018 when a car careened off Torrey Pines Road onto the adjacent hillside, landing in the yard of one of the Coast Walk houses below.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Kight was allegedly looking back at someone being pulled by his boat when his boat careened toward the swimmers, Green said.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
No one was on the barge when the helicopter careened into it and the fire has been extinguished, said the state patrol.
—Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 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
Three years ago this week, Hardy was on his way back from a concert in Bristol, Tennessee, when his tour bus careened off the road and rolled down an embankment.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The hype cycle has careened straight into doomsday-prepper territory where the voices are loud, alarmist, and largely missing the plot.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
When one of Hicks’ pitches to Cruz careened past Narváez, both runners attempted to score.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Its saga began in January 2018 when a car careened off Torrey Pines Road onto the adjacent hillside, landing in the yard of one of the Coast Walk houses below.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Kight was allegedly looking back at someone being pulled by his boat when his boat careened toward the swimmers, Green said.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
No one was on the barge when the helicopter careened into it and the fire has been extinguished, said the state patrol.
—Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careened
Verb
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Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.—
Lyle Goldstein,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Seats are elected from each of the city’s wards and serve staggered, four-year terms.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
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The 49ers, under Kyle Shanahan’s watch since 2017, traditionally have staggered through Oktoberfest, posting a 16-22 record and losing at least two October games every season except during the 2019 team’s 8-0 start.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Coast Guard personnel told the driver to stop several times but the driver then allegedly put the truck in reverse and suddenly sped backward toward the Coast Guard security officials, DHS said on Friday.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Bill Pugliano | Getty Images Ford Motor sped past Wall Street’s expectations on both lines for the third quarter.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Maxing out Speech is fine, but if the Intimidator trait isn’t also selected, some characters still won’t be swayed by the Commander’s silver tongue.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The bridge swayed ever so slightly as the mass of runners began to storm across.—
Nicholas Thompson,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Satuala raced 40 yards to the end zone.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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Bailey, with headphones on, listened as the spirit box raced through radio frequencies for answers to questions the guests asked.—
Jim Beaugez,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Stone, who rocked a daring pixie cut during awards season, has also been making headlines for her style as of late — particularly for opening up about shaving her head for her role in Bugonia.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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The famous couple has been rocked by rumors of a family feud with their oldest son and his wife for a hot minute now.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then, Olivia scurried off into an enclave off the side stage as Dylan and Daniella punched up into a high-octane, athletic routine.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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Two small children scurried out behind her.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The earthquake shook at a depth of just 4 miles, with its epicenter roughly 9 miles west of Johannesburg.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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Nearly two years later, there’s still evidence at the crime scene that shook this small island country — ash on jutting rocks, melted scraps of plastic and fabric scattered in the verdant shrubbery where wild dogs stalk giant lizards.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careened. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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