COIL Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

coil 1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯi(-ə)l

Definition of coil

as in disturbance

a state of noisy, confused activity amidst the coil of the office renovations, we even managed to get some work done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

coil

2 of 2

verb

as in to curl

to follow a circular or spiral course a vine coiling around a pillar

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straighten

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 coil

Noun

Underground heating coils keep the natural-grass field from freezing, while roof sensors monitor snowfall and activate the world’s largest stadium snow-melt system. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 In other species, shells coil in both directions in a roughly 50-50 split. — Quanta Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026

Verb

The lights dangled from white beams, their power cables coiled and hanging like tails. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 As management continues to prove themselves, multiples are coiled to go higher. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for coil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coil

Noun

One study links living near new Kern County oil and gas wells to higher infection risk, while massive housing and solar construction promise more soil disturbance and airborne, infectious dust.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
At first, Lara seems like a disturbance in Ruby’s fantasy of private election.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturbance

Verb

Her signature micro braids were scooped up into a half-up, half-down style with free-flowing tendrils curling around her forehead and cheekbones.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026
The rising 50-day has acted as support on every meaningful pullback since June, and the 200-day at $228 is beginning to curl upward after a long flat stretch.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of curl

Noun

Or use it in place of croutons by seasoning it and stir-frying.

— Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
After Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon caused a stir by resigning with a grave warning about the technology's potential risks, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei responded with an essay saying that the industry might need to slow the pace of its work.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

The house sits on a high point overlooking the Hampshire Downs, with the driveway winding through the land and trees before reaching the main entrance.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026
Any New Yorker will tell you, the journey from your first apartment in the city to your ideal home is a long, winding path.

— Matt Goulet, Architectural Digest, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of wind

Noun

Robin’s younger sister Riverley heard the commotion and ran for help.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
In the meantime, there’s a lot of unwieldy comic commotion involving a missing corpse, a tweaking, naked Dwight and enough insipid TV sibling bickering to clog the airwaves for a decade.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of commotion

Verb

Eichler’s micro-neighborhood, spread over a high ridge near the geographic center of the city and overlooking Glen Canyon Park, is mostly composed of compact lots along curving streets.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
Chase Meidroth hit a long fly down the left-field line that curved foul during a third-inning at-bat Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of curve

Noun

The Associated Press SHENZHEN, China -- SHENZHEN, China (AP) — Elina Svitolina slammed her racket on the court to celebrate earning Ukraine a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup final for the first time Saturday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
The materials appeared in Budweiser cardholders and Stella Artois tennis racket sleeves.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of racket

Noun

Miami sacked him three times and had nine quarterback hurries.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
For the day, the Steelers had four sacks, four quarterback hurries, three additional tackles for loss and four passes batted down by defensive linemen, and four of Atlanta’s offensive linemen were called for holding at least once.

— Josh Kendall, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of hurry

Cite this Entry

Style

“Coil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coil. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of coil

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on coil

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

argot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes