Careen
verb
To rush forward in an uncontrolled way.
The truck careened down the hill.
Often appears as...
- careen down
- careen off
verb
To tilt or lean while moving.
The sailboat careened in the strong wind.
Often appears as...
- careen into
- careen against
verb
Old maritime usage - to lean a ship on one side for cleaning or repairing.
The sailors careened the ship to clean the barnacles off the hull.
Often appears as...
- careen a ship
- careen on the beach
Usage tips
Formal, Neutral
Technical
verb
To rush forward in an uncontrolled way.
The truck careened down the hill.
Often appears as...
- careen down
- careen off
verb
To tilt or lean while moving.
The sailboat careened in the strong wind.
Often appears as...
- careen into
- careen against
verb
Old maritime usage - to lean a ship on one side for cleaning or repairing.
The sailors careened the ship to clean the barnacles off the hull.
Often appears as...
- careen a ship
- careen on the beach
Usage tips
Formal, Neutral
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Uncontrolled Movement
Use 'careen' to describe something moving fast without control, often leading to chaos or accidents.
The car careened off the icy road.
Pro Tip 2/3Dramatic Descriptions
'Careen' adds drama, suggesting a wild or desperate speed. Suitable for storytelling or vivid accounts.
The robber careened around the corner, evading the police.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Danger
Implies potential danger or harm due to the lack of control, often in a physical context.
He slipped and careened towards the edge of the cliff.
Pro Tip 1/3Uncontrolled Movement
Use 'careen' to describe something moving fast without control, often leading to chaos or accidents.
The car careened off the icy road.
Pro Tip 2/3Dramatic Descriptions
'Careen' adds drama, suggesting a wild or desperate speed. Suitable for storytelling or vivid accounts.
The robber careened around the corner, evading the police.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Danger
Implies potential danger or harm due to the lack of control, often in a physical context.
He slipped and careened towards the edge of the cliff.
Pro Tip 1/3Uncontrolled Movement
Use 'careen' to describe something moving fast without control, often leading to chaos or accidents.
The car careened off the icy road.
Pro Tip 2/3Dramatic Descriptions
'Careen' adds drama, suggesting a wild or desperate speed. Suitable for storytelling or vivid accounts.
The robber careened around the corner, evading the police.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Danger
Implies potential danger or harm due to the lack of control, often in a physical context.
He slipped and careened towards the edge of the cliff.
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Video examples
Portraits of Afghanistan...
international contractors and a well-connected afghan elite because of mismanagement and corruption the benefits rarely reached ordinary people the money is flaunted all around kabul you'll see high-rise towers and these caravans of bulletproof vehicles they careen around town like they own the
Video examples
Portraits of Afghanistan...
international contractors and a well-connected afghan elite because of mismanagement and corruption the benefits rarely reached ordinary people the money is flaunted all around kabul you'll see high-rise towers and these caravans of bulletproof vehicles they careen around town like they own the
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Seth Shostak
American Scientist
The principal reason for the universe's poker face is that its constituents are far away. Stars careen through space, and galaxies spin at speeds thousands of times faster than a jet plane. But given their distance, you'd need the patience of Job to notice much change in their appearance or position.
Quote examples
Stephen Kinzer
American Author
Allowing a friend to careen toward self destruction is not friendship. That is a habit the United States needs to break as it pursues a richer and more deeply supportive relationship with Israel.
Quote examples
Harold Prince
American Producer
It's fine when you careen off disasters and terrifyingly bad reviews and rejection and all that stuff when you're young; your resilience is just terrific.
Quote examples
Seth Shostak
American Scientist
The principal reason for the universe's poker face is that its constituents are far away. Stars careen through space, and galaxies spin at speeds thousands of times faster than a jet plane. But given their distance, you'd need the patience of Job to notice much change in their appearance or position.
Quote examples
Stephen Kinzer
American Author
Allowing a friend to careen toward self destruction is not friendship. That is a habit the United States needs to break as it pursues a richer and more deeply supportive relationship with Israel.
Quote examples
Harold Prince
American Producer
It's fine when you careen off disasters and terrifyingly bad reviews and rejection and all that stuff when you're young; your resilience is just terrific.
Example 1 of 3
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