careen

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "careen" is an acceptable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to move rapidly and erratically or to tilt sharply. Example sentence: The car careened around the corner, nearly hitting the stop sign.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We sailed at noon, arriving at mid-afternoon at Careening Bay, where the explorer Phillip Parker King once parked up to repair (careen) his ship.

Independent

So if a car is being driven by a born-again Christian, it will careen off the road and crash into something.

The Economist

As the rules careen forward, position limits still have many critics, even at the CFTC.

The Economist

Up above, thousands of fragments of defunct spacecraft careen through space, and occasionally more debris is produced by collisions such as the one that destroyed an American satellite in mid-February.

The Economist

Will it now careen out of control?That could happen.

The Economist

The main highway is so dilapidated that trucks careen down the wrong side of the road when their lane turns to dirt.

The Economist

Illinois seems to careen from one crisis to the next.

The Economist

Now pharmaceutical firms are beginning to careen off the patent cliff.

The Economist

A careen across the barely tamed Arizona prairie, this peculiar book aims less for a traditional storyline than a sequence of jangled (often hilarious) conversations, ludicrous circumstances, and absurdist tableaux.

The Economist

In a perspex cabinet two delicate racing chariots careen across the surface of a black Apullian mug of the fourth century BC.

The Economist

All I can think about are the suspiciously popular YouTube videos I watched the night before showing riders careen over their handlebars and "faceplant" into the ground when they get it wrong.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "careen", ensure the context clearly indicates an uncontrolled or erratic movement to avoid ambiguity. This word is most effective when describing vehicles, ships, or other objects in motion.

Common error

Avoid using "careen" when the movement is deliberate or controlled. "Careen" specifically implies a lack of control or erratic motion, so using it in the wrong context can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "careen" is as an intransitive verb, describing the action of moving rapidly and erratically. It illustrates how something loses control, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples of cars, ships, and even political situations "careening".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "careen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used intransitive verb that describes rapid, uncontrolled movement. As shown by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news and media contexts to depict unstable or erratic actions. While the word itself is neutral in tone, it is often used to convey urgency and a sense of potential danger. To avoid misuse, remember that "careen" implies a lack of control, distinguishing it from words like "tilt" or "veer", which can describe more deliberate actions. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability and correct usage of the term in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

careen wildly

Intensifies the erratic and uncontrolled nature of the movement.

lurch

Focuses on a sudden, unsteady movement.

veer

Emphasizes a change in direction, often abrupt.

swerve

Highlights an evasive maneuver to avoid an obstacle.

tilt

Indicates a leaning or inclination to one side.

wobble

Suggests an unsteady, rocking motion.

stagger

Implies a loss of balance and unsteady steps.

plummet

Describes a steep and rapid fall.

skid

Refers to a sliding movement, often uncontrolled.

roll

Indicates a turning or rotating movement.

FAQs

How can I use "careen" in a sentence?

Use "careen" to describe something moving rapidly and uncontrollably. For example, "The car "careened" down the hill after the brakes failed."

What can I say instead of "careen"?

You can use alternatives like "lurch", "veer", or "swerve" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "careen" or "career"?

"Careen" means to tilt or swerve uncontrollably, while "career" refers to a profession or long-term pursuit. The words are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "careen" and "tilt"?

"Tilt" simply means to lean or incline. "Careen" implies a more dynamic and uncontrolled tilting motion, often during movement.