REED Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

reed

noun

ˈrēd

Definition of reed

as in coward

a person without strength of character the congresswoman is but a reed who bends whichever way the political winds are blowing

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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 reed Sometimes only the tips of the reeds and the seed heads were visible, poking above the murky water, and other times the reeds stood fully exposed, with a clear view of crabs clambering around their bases. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 An animal’s croaking rides away with the wind, and two sparrows rise from the reeds. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026 Baydon's tattoo needle is a spiky thorn of a pomelo tree attached to a thin bamboo reed. — Marisol Delarosa, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 For weeks, migrants in the Spanish territory of Ceuta had gathered on a beach away from the city center, sleeping on cardboard sheets, under reed huts and guarding their few possessions in tattered plastic bags. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reed

Noun

How could anyone in the military support a repulsive, draft-dodging coward who called dead soldiers suckers and losers?

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026
Some called them cowards; others opted for more colorful language.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of coward

Noun

Scientists inserted genes associated with Alzheimer’s into mouse genomes, breeding animals that had high levels of amyloid in their brains; the mice then began to struggle with spatial navigation.

— Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Seal All Entry Points The first mouse-proofing task on your list should be sealing all entry points, according to the pros.

— Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of mouse

Noun

Thankfully, Diana had two of the sheep knits made — and Plant got her hands on the second one.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
There is no room for Joseph, who is sitting on the floor leaning his back against the bed, watching the sheep and being ironically observed by a donkey.

— Artforum, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of sheep

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reechos

reed

reedified

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“Reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reed. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of reed

noun

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