spelling

verb

Definition of spellingnext
present participle of spell
1
as in possessing
to cast a spell on it was as if he had spelled the public into believing his ridiculous claims

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in meaning
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind that summertime combination of hot temperatures and equally hot tempers can spell trouble

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 spelling While deep in the throes of his intestinal Hell, Tony has a series of fever dreams that start out as subtle warnings and end up practically spelling it out for him. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 But he is visited by Kanbei (Masaki Suda), an envoy from a different clan, who tells him that more and more factions are siding with Oda, spelling certain doom for Murashige. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 That summer, land next to the Okefenokee Swamp that was slated for a titanium mine was purchased by The Conservation Fund, spelling an end to a project some had feared could irreparably damage the fragile ecosystem. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026 The point is to protect spouses by spelling this out before a split, when things — especially finances — can get messy, according to the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. — Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 1 July 2026 But the part of the building once covered with letters spelling the president’s name is now shrouded in a tarp. — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 But the part of the building once covered with letters spelling the president's name is now shrouded in a tarp. — ABC News, 28 June 2026 The cruise turns into a disaster – perhaps inevitable with all of these particular personalities on board – potentially spelling a watery doom for all on the trip. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 26 June 2026 However, in recent years, it has been used to symbolize ‘White power’, with the three remaining fingers spelling W for White and the thumb and index finger enabling a P to be drawn for Power. — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spelling
  1. possessing
  2. meaning
  3. cursing
  4. signifying
  5. striking
  6. denoting
  7. charming
  8. implying
Verb
  • The technology is now at the center of a push at the California State Capitol to prohibit law enforcement agencies in the state from possessing or using the devices.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Among the additional counts against Andrew are allegations of making or distributing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of possessing
Verb
  • Dorsey uses solid gold (as well as sterling silver), meaning its pieces are not classified as demi-fine, but a Dorsey diamond tennis necklace will set you back up to $20,000, rather than upwards of $30,000 to $40,000 for a natural diamond version.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • So the announcement arrives that Paul Baker lost the election, meaning nobody has to move out, and Anton and Paul Baker share their big kiss.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of meaning
Verb
  • Video that the teen lobster diver's family shared with ABC Miami affiliate WSVN allegedly shows Simpson swimming away from the third lung and back to the Contender vessel as people on Del Sol's boat began yelling and cursing at him.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Obumseli chronicled their arguments in a series of recordings, which caught Clenney angrily screaming, berating and cursing him out using racist slurs.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of cursing
Verb
  • Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The signifying fruit was intended to get around the 1980 Israeli ban on political art featuring the grouping of the flag’s colors.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of signifying
Verb
  • Prince was able to free the ATV and accelerated toward the deputy, striking him and knocking him to the ground.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The witness said Cavazos was about 10 feet away and was not holding a weapon when Gutierrez fired three or four times, striking him in the back.
    — Madison Lambert, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of striking
Verb
  • Eligible cars would receive special license plates denoting the car as a historic vehicle and be insured as collector motor vehicles.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • There’s one shaped like a hand grenade; another bears a white-sheet-ghost novelty trinket over the lid, denoting a ghost pepper sauce.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of denoting
Verb
  • As John and Gates are playing cards, with the con man still working on charming the agent, the first guard assigned outside in the hallway drops.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Plant flowering shrubs or vines that can trail over the top, charming the neighbors while screening the view at the same time.
    — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of charming
Verb
  • The Honduran man, according to the criminal complaint filed in federal court, called the agent a slur describing a female dog and referenced the midterm elections, implying federal agents could be charged for crimes if Republicans lost power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some investors, trying to read the tea leaves, interpreted that as a potential warning that more conservative guidance is on the horizon, implying that a turnaround will likely take more time.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of implying

Browse Nearby Words

spellers
spelling
spelling out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spelling. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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