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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And, in a way, this coward is the only sane one.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
-
These are American cowards that are rooting against our Country.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
National Aquarium cams The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, operates a series of cameras of marine animals, including reef sharks, jellyfish and fish in a Pacific coral reef.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
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While the immortal jellyfish evokes our wonder and curiosity, the deep sea and its creatures can often stir a deep, primal fear in us.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Since 1980, her partner had been the kindly, worshipful Dutch actor Robert Wolders, whom Ferrer likens to a gentlemanly doormat.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
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That’s worked out pretty well for Vandy so far, as the Commodores went from Southeastern Conference doormat to playing for a spot in last year’s College Football Playoff.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The research is entirely preclinical, meaning all findings so far come from mouse models and lab settings.—
Allison Palmer
June 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
The striped mouse rises up on its hind legs, an expression of measured vigilance.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Bighorn sheep, elk, and pronghorn can also be spotted here.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
1 June 2026
-
Just hundreds of sheep clinging to the grassy slopes.—
Lori Rackl,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reed. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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