1
2
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
In November, Jackson terminated Gatlin for swindling millions of dollars from the Foundation as executives privately reeled over her betrayal of the hospital system’s fundraising arm, which raises tens of millions to benefit Jackson’s patients.
—
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
While Fallon reeled — and flopped on the floor — over this reveal, Swift put her head in her hands.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
On the other side of the world, as the Kirk story preoccupied Americans, Nepal reeled from a spasm of violence that erupted when the government tried to ban social media platforms.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Many movie studios began releasing films direct to streaming during the pandemic, and even though that’s been reeled back significantly, the damage was done.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
While Fallon reeled — and flopped on the floor — over this reveal, Swift put her head in her hands.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
On the other side of the world, as the Kirk story preoccupied Americans, Nepal reeled from a spasm of violence that erupted when the government tried to ban social media platforms.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Many movie studios began releasing films direct to streaming during the pandemic, and even though that’s been reeled back significantly, the damage was done.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeled
Verb
-
Under intense pressure from all angles, Gonzalez spun with the ball, taking out three men, and found Doku.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
For these reasons and others, Duan says that his team has spun HLS into a startup company—Convergency Biotech—with the goal to develop HLS workstations user-friendly enough for any lab.—
Perri Thaler,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Seats are elected from each of the city’s wards and serve staggered, four-year terms.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The 49ers, under Kyle Shanahan’s watch since 2017, traditionally have staggered through Oktoberfest, posting a 16-22 record and losing at least two October games every season except during the 2019 team’s 8-0 start.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a stream of southern China filled with plant debris, a pinkish river creature with wrinkly lips swam through the murk, perhaps searching for a meal or a mate.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The incident comes days after a family in Massachusetts similarly swam ashore to a nearby island off the coast of Cape Cod.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.—
Lyle Goldstein,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Palantir said last week that home improvement retailer Lowe’s was already incorporating this into its tech stack, but the software company declined on Monday to share other companies that had rolled that out.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
But the Cowboys’ special teams answered when Sam Williams blocked a punt that ricocheted off his helmet and rolled into the end zone, where Marshawn Kneeland recovered it for a touchdown.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeled. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share