REELED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

reeled

verb

past tense of reel

as in spun

to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around his mind reeled upon hearing the news that his employer had been indicted for fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in staggered

to move forward while swaying from side to side got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able to stand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 reeled Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard. —

Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026 Derulo reeled backward after his foot gave way on the step below, sending him tumbling to the ground. —

Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 But Ohtani reeled himself back in to face the top of the order. —

Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 In 2021, more than 43% of voters supported disbanding the department as the city reeled from Floyd’s killing and the massive protests and widespread rioting that followed. —

ABC News, 28 May 2026 As the airline industry reeled and competitors quickly began furloughing employees, Southwest’s leadership gathered in their Dallas boardroom. —

The Oklahoman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 These direct relationships of mutual candor and trust have been vital in delivering wins for the state where others reeled. —

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026 Nearby Flint still reeled from the water crisis. —

CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 But only a few moments after chucking a wild runner off the side of the backboard to fall to 0 of 7, Kuminga reeled the Hawks crowd back in with a decisive transition layup over Brandin Podziemski to score his only basket of the night. —

Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeled

Verb

The Jeep crashed into a patrol car, which spun around and stopped right before hitting the third officer, police said.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026
The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026