reeled

verb

past tense of reel
1
as in spun
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around his mind reeled upon hearing the news that his employer had been indicted for fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in staggered
to move forward while swaying from side to side got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able to stand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reeled The primary came as the Chicago area reeled from arrests, deportations and violence that occurred during Operation Midway Blitz, the federal government’s immigration enforcement campaign last fall. — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 In the wake of his death, the Platte County courthouse sat empty for two days, leaving the town square around it quiet as the community reeled from the news. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 But Clemson reeled the Tar Heels back in, slowing down a rushing attack led by Benjamin Hall (130 rushing yards) and making quarterback Billy Edwards, by the end, look flustered and out of sorts. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026 As the family reeled from the loss, Doug made his daughter his top priority. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 In 1995-96, Newcastle tore into the lead at the top of the division and although Manchester United reeled them in, relentless and unforgiving, the drama was human. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026 Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026 Derulo reeled backward after his foot gave way on the step below, sending him tumbling to the ground. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 But Ohtani reeled himself back in to face the top of the order. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeled
  1. spun
  2. staggered
  3. swam
  4. lurched
  5. rolled
Verb
  • The car spun counter-clockwise and overturned, stopping on its roof.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Trouble for Modified Gravity Several independent experts buy the tale spun by Keim and his colleagues.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of spun
Verb
  • Adebayo and Antetokounmpo shared the court for most their playing time in the Heat’s preseason opener, but Heat coach Erik Spoelstra staggered their minutes in the Heat’s second exhibition in Thursday’s preseason win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The talent is still there, but Herbert has staggered to a dismal start.
    — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of staggered
Verb
  • More recently, a mother humpback and her calf swam into the Delta in 2007.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the damage, no one was injured, and the whale quickly swam away.
    — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of swam
Verb
  • The airplane lurched skyward, and Elwood was strapped in for the ride.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Markets have lurched up and down as oil prices shot higher because of the war with Iran.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of lurched
Verb
  • One gang of roaches rolled six deep on the floor underneath a cookline cart.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
  • On a Wednesday afternoon at Ralphs on Pico Boulevard, a skinny, six-foot-tall tower of sensors rolled through the aisles.
    — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of rolled

Browse Nearby Words

reel
reeled
reeled off
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Cite this Entry

“Reeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeled. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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