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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
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Recent Examples of reeled
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
America during the 1960s reeled from the Civil Rights movement, anti-Vietnam War protests and other political and social upheaval — and protest art took different forms, like performance art, even puppets.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 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
When the Avs faltered before the Olympic break, the Stars reeled them back in.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
On those previous two occasions, Guardiola’s team successfully reeled them in.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Five straight Poway victories reeled Buchanan back in.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Kenny eventually reeled the shark close enough to shore to unhook and release it.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
America during the 1960s reeled from the Civil Rights movement, anti-Vietnam War protests and other political and social upheaval — and protest art took different forms, like performance art, even puppets.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 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
When the Avs faltered before the Olympic break, the Stars reeled them back in.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
On those previous two occasions, Guardiola’s team successfully reeled them in.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Five straight Poway victories reeled Buchanan back in.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Kenny eventually reeled the shark close enough to shore to unhook and release it.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeled
Verb
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The state and the economic alliance forged ahead, the development letter of intent transferring to Sandisk after Western Digital spun it into a separate public company.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The American band’s 1996 debut spun indie pop gold from heartache and secondhand Hammond organ.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He looks staggered at first, then disgusted, and, finally, proud.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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And yet here stand the Miami Heat, staggered by a four-game losing streak that now includes Saturday night’s 123-122 loss to the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The journey had taken him 8 meters (26 feet) beneath the surface, where sunlight filtered through the Arctic ice and fish swam around a rock formation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Earlier this month, Esparza swam the anchor leg on three relay teams that won gold medals at the NCAA Division II national finals in Evansville, Indiana.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Since then, the larger culture has lurched rightward, with big corporations abandoning progressive signaling in favor of…other priorities.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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Over the course of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s term, CPS has lurched from budget crisis to budget crisis, able only to muddle through due to record-breaking mayoral declarations of tax-increment-financing surpluses.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ball instead rolled into center field, which allowed Cronenworth to run home.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Lendeborg scored 27 points, Cadeau had 10 assists and the deep, unselfish Wolverines rolled into the Final Four, overwhelming Tennessee for a 95-62 victory in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.—
Jay Cohen,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeled. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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