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
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Recent Examples of careening
Hunter Feduccia had an infield single, and then took second when Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson rushed a throw after fielding the grounder and sent it careening into first-base foul territory and into the Rays' bullpen.
—
CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Hunter Feduccia had an infield single, and then took second when Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson rushed a throw after fielding the grounder and sent it careening into first-base foul territory and into the Rays’ bullpen.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
The first three episodes are a disaster, taking 90 minutes to establish a premise that needs to be wrapped up in the pilot, and littering the plot with enough holes to send even a more polished vehicle careening off track.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
Following the flyby, 2026 GD will continue along a 644-day elliptical path that takes it beyond the orbit of Mars before careening back towards the sun.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
When third-base umpire David Rackley gave Vitello the heave, the Giants weren’t careening toward a series loss.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The Bulls have been careening toward this turning point in the season since the trade deadline, which kickstarted a 5-16 collapse as the front office (temporarily) gave up on the postseason.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Splashdown sends boats careening into a wall of water that drenches riders and onlookers alike, welcome relief in triple-digit heat.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 25 Mar. 2026
About 30 seconds later, FHP Trooper Major executed the PIT, sending Randolph’s truck careening into a concrete wall and then into Bouffard’s car.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Hunter Feduccia had an infield single, and then took second when Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson rushed a throw after fielding the grounder and sent it careening into first-base foul territory and into the Rays’ bullpen.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
The first three episodes are a disaster, taking 90 minutes to establish a premise that needs to be wrapped up in the pilot, and littering the plot with enough holes to send even a more polished vehicle careening off track.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
Following the flyby, 2026 GD will continue along a 644-day elliptical path that takes it beyond the orbit of Mars before careening back towards the sun.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
When third-base umpire David Rackley gave Vitello the heave, the Giants weren’t careening toward a series loss.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The Bulls have been careening toward this turning point in the season since the trade deadline, which kickstarted a 5-16 collapse as the front office (temporarily) gave up on the postseason.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Splashdown sends boats careening into a wall of water that drenches riders and onlookers alike, welcome relief in triple-digit heat.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 25 Mar. 2026
About 30 seconds later, FHP Trooper Major executed the PIT, sending Randolph’s truck careening into a concrete wall and then into Bouffard’s car.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careening
Verb
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Another neighbor recalled an elevator lurching between floors.—
Elle McLogan,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile the Caliente Range — those mountains just to the west — are lurching the opposite way.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
Verb
-
Citations vary by county, but usually fines are $100 or more for speeding 10 mph over the limit.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
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Doctors suggested that the data do not support an early change in therapy and instead introduce unknown risks by speeding up the treatment sequence, potentially reducing time on otherwise effective options, noted Jefferies analysts.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Many in Sacramento are skeptical that Brin and his fellow ultra-rich will succeed in swaying California state politics.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
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The mailbox, which surprisingly pops up from a landscape of sugar-white sand and sea oats swaying in the wind, creates a scene straight from a movie.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Leith emphasizes that Dwell Secure’s functionality extends beyond emergency scenarios, weaving into everyday property management.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Never tested in orbit, NASA’s robot could, in theory, perform tasks like weaving solar power stations and antennae in space from spools of carbon fiber.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your eyes may see the prairie dogs digging and scurrying.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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An over-excited group of fans celebrated the two saves by breaking a pane of glass behind the Kings bench, sending the coaches scurrying and pausing the game for several minutes as workmen repaired the damage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Insiders told the Miami Herald that the event went swimmingly, even despite a near-miss between Earle, rocking a red mini-dress, and her footballer ex, Braxton Berrios.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
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For Mother's Day 2022, Mimi posted a carousel of pics which included this beautiful photo of herself and the twins rocking their bouncy curls.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careening. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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