as in coward
a person without strength of character
the congresswoman is but a reed who bends whichever way the political winds are blowing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reed
Look for ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass—known for its tall, bright green leaves and buff-colored plumes that remain upright through most of the winter.
—
Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Rods and lures safely stowed, the paddling anglers head past the swampy banks and cast their lines through the reeds and lily pads.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Tall, dense invasive common reeds were then able to move in and stifle native plants.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Given that reeds can be seen as public infrastructure that can protect the entire coast, taxpayer funding is another option.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reed
Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Rods and lures safely stowed, the paddling anglers head past the swampy banks and cast their lines through the reeds and lily pads.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Tall, dense invasive common reeds were then able to move in and stifle native plants.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Given that reeds can be seen as public infrastructure that can protect the entire coast, taxpayer funding is another option.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reed
Noun
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The crowd applauds for 13 seconds both at the intense, almost Chris Farley–esque yell itself and the absurdity of Maron’s desire to be a manly coward.—
John Roy,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Just an utter coward folding to this embarrassing paper tiger administration.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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My candidacy is a symbol of the end of the weak-kneed, feckless Republican leadership of Mitch McConnell, and the spineless swamp jellyfish that are in the United States Senate representing the Republicans.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Boissevain’s nature photography captures these in-transition landscapes in vivid hues and alien geometries, from close-ups of jellyfish-like crystal deposits to aerial shots of what scans like the surface of Mars.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Trying to talk to people like this is particularly strange in buildings and neighborhoods where wealthy New Yorkers pay to be insulated from a stray takeout flyer left on their doormat.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
23 Oct. 2025
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Neither one was a doormat; neither one was a saint.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The researchers then replicated this outcome in mouse models — when the mice received a combination of immunotherapy drugs and an mRNA vaccine targeting the COVID-19 spike protein, their tumors became more responsive to treatment.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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After twenty years in New York City, the novelty of being a country mouse in the big city had worn off.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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About 1,746 people died, along with thousands of cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, dogs, and untold birds, antelope, and other wildlife.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The process typically lasts only a few minutes per sheep and is done at least once a year to prevent health complications such as overheating, flystrike, and restricted movement caused by excess wool growth.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reed. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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