reeled

Definition of reelednext
past tense of reel
1
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

2

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 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 Lewin said views of the lake reeled them in. Larry Seward, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026 But Norris then reeled Verstappen back in through the rest of the lap, aided by what appeared to be an error by the Dutchman at Turn 7. Luke Smith, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026 Lewin said views of the lake reeled them in. Larry Seward, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 The delegations gathered on Wednesday as Ukraine reeled from a major Russian drone and missile bombardment on Monday night, which Ukrainian officials said caused serious damage to the country's energy grid. David Brennan, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2026 The cases remained unsolved for decades as the sleepy Long Island community reeled over the possibility of a serial killer lurking in their midst. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026 In the first two months of the Covid pandemic, as markets reeled, the Federal Reserve purchased $580 billion in agency MBS. Diana Olick, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeled
Verb
  • Because of the gravitational influence of the Sun, and to a lesser extent Jupiter, on Earth’s daily rotation, Earth’s spin axis precesses, or moves in a circle, like a toy top spun on a table.
    Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The pundit and podcaster has spun dozens of unfounded conspiracy theories since her rise from communications director at Charlie Kirk’s conservative youth group, Turning Point USA, to become a far-right digital force with a podcast audience of some 6 million.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Stamina and technique aside, Spyres delivered a deeply human hero staggered by his own vulnerability.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Commissioners serve two year terms, which are staggered so about half of them expire each January.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Cadets sophomore Pascal Zeruhn swam away with the 500-yard freestyle, winning the title by five and a half seconds.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Albarn swam in the Ganges, scattered his father’s ashes into its mythology.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Elsewhere in town, the original creature, played by Christian Bale, has lurched here from Austria still on his lonely quest for companionship.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Then, just as abruptly, the plane lurched up, slamming everyone back to the ground.
    Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But Fritz reset and rolled through the decider 6–1.
    Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer and Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson had four hits and two RBIs as the United States rolled to a 9-1 victory over Britain Saturday night at the World Baseball Classic.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeled. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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