1
as in curse
a spoken word or set of words believed to have magic power
the witch cast a spell that turned the prince into a toad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in bout
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder
a dizzy spell that caused me to fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in while
an indefinite but usually short period of time
come rest a spell
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to possess
to cast a spell on
it was as if he had spelled the public into believing his ridiculous claims
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mean
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 spell
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026
The cooling spell will allow March to go out like a lamb, but the heat will quickly dial back up.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
The de-facto Saudi leader even spelled it out eight years ago.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spell
Noun
All have been around for a spell, achieving venerable notoriety in their respective cities.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026
The cooling spell will allow March to go out like a lamb, but the heat will quickly dial back up.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Yahoo will be competing against a familiar foil in Google, which remains the same formidable force that spelled the company’s demise 20 years ago and has been progressively layering more AI into its search engine with its Gemini technology.
—Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
The de-facto Saudi leader even spelled it out eight years ago.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell
Noun
-
The story introduces a family curse requiring Rachel to marry her soulmate by sundown on her wedding day or face death.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The season ends with Rachel driving away, now as this immortal witness to the ongoing curse.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 2025, the Lions lost a lot of high scoring games, but with Monroe’s consistent pitching success, the team is more well-rounded with an ability to win close, low scoring bouts.—
Charles Baggarly
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Brooks, for his part, equivocated … A bout of frantic rebranding ensued.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It’s been a while since a Marvel show has really captured my attention.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The atmosphere, for a while, was carnivalesque.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors said the court issued an order preventing him from owning, possessing or having any animals in his care or custody.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That law allows certain people to petition the courts for a temporary restraining order to prohibit people deemed a danger to themselves or others from possessing firearms.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That means eliminating Iran's Navy, which is now absolutely destroyed, hurting their Air Force and their missile program at levels never seen before, and annihilating their defense industrial base.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That means they are left out of state cost-cap bills.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In that loud and sultry enclosure, the aspirants lined up and repeated the same information, over and over, like an incantation to open a magic door.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Where ancient midwives had summoned divine assistance by uttering incantations, medieval maternity caregivers called upon saintly mothers by reciting rhythmical charms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Riverside County Department of Animal Services officials are seeking help from the public in locating a pair of dogs that were recently involved in an attack on a wild burro, part of a series of attacks on the creatures dating back to late 2025.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
His two-run single helped Andrew go up 5-0 after the first, and his versatility is a key component of the Thunderbolts’ attack.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Back then in the race, the goal was to beat the Soviet Union in space and to the moon, which was accomplished.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
With 33 seconds remaining, after scoring five straight points and in possession of the ball, the Warriors used Curry’s gravity to draw defenders out of the paint, giving Gary Payton II enough space to catch a pass from Draymond Green and put in a layup for a 116-115 lead.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
