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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reed
Water levels had risen higher than expected, leaving the cyclist stranded halfway across the river — clinging to reeds with their bike as the current moved around them.
—
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Graziose kept a photo of the quartet in which Griffin looks reed-thin and sports bangs.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Exhibits over the years have showcased a heady array of musical instruments and equipment, from guitars, pianos, accordions and reed instruments to synthesizers, theremins, foot pedals, a Harpejji (a 24-string cross between a piano and a guitar) and much more.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
At the same time, Utah is working to remove a nonnative reed called phragmites, which is growing on the lake surface and sucking down twice as much water as native plants.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reed
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Graziose kept a photo of the quartet in which Griffin looks reed-thin and sports bangs.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Exhibits over the years have showcased a heady array of musical instruments and equipment, from guitars, pianos, accordions and reed instruments to synthesizers, theremins, foot pedals, a Harpejji (a 24-string cross between a piano and a guitar) and much more.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
At the same time, Utah is working to remove a nonnative reed called phragmites, which is growing on the lake surface and sucking down twice as much water as native plants.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reed
Noun
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Across 17 tracks, Amos positions herself as both conqueror and coward, exploring how the greed and individualism of modern society has allowed tech feudalists and 21st-century robber barons to make out like kings.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
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The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police president calling the mayor a coward doesn’t keep a single teenager off the street.—
Louis Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Thousands of bright blue, jellyfish-like sea creatures are washing up on beaches across California.—
Stephanie Zappelli,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
SeaWorld likens the experience to the LED room in its Jewels of the Sea attraction that brings to life various shapes and sizes of jellyfish.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rather than a traditional doormat, Oprah opted for a longer runner-style option to cover the larger access point of her French double doors.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Between colorful doormats and minimalist styles, these spring-inspired finds add a splash of beauty and practicality.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fiber-optic drones are the latest part of a cat-and-mouse race as Israel’s high-tech defenses race to intercept new threats, especially ones that are less sophisticated.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Sasha is then forced to play a ritualistic cat-and-mouse game that Robbins considers to be his homage to Deliverance (1972) and The River Wild (1994).—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Picture murmurations of starlings staining the sky like ink drops or flocks of sheep flowing like liquid.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
4 May 2026
-
Your fans are voting for who their rock star likes, and that’s like being a bunch of sheep.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reed. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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