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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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeled
Verb
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Silencing Highlanders hitters Carson junior Isabella Campos effectively spun her curve ball and kept Granada Hills off balance.—
Ethan Hanson,
Daily News,
30 May 2026
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The Barcelona moviehouse had been decorated for the occasion; the cryptic Scottish duo’s hexagonal logo was projected on the walls and spun on circular screens set into the ceiling.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Employers are encouraged to support remote work, staggered shifts, and flexible hours.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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The lone survivor of the half-hour killing spree, critically injured 49-year-old David Hernandez, staggered to a nearby street where police officers were trying to revive another Santos victim.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Vanderhoof swam the man back to the dock to be reunited with his pet.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
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The four swam to the eastern part of the Chandeleur Islands, where they were stranded for hours as the ordeal left them tired.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
Verb
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By 2024 that gap reached 27 points – not because working-class voters lurched toward anti-government extremism, but because mainstream Democrats became dramatically more trusting of government as an instrument of social change.—
Nicholas Jacobs,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
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As Aden Kassaye and her mother got out to inspect the damage, Beas Solorio reportedly lurched the BMW forward, making contact with Ayalew’s torso, prompting Ayalew to slam her hands on the BMW’s hood to brace herself and yell at the driver.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Verb
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This time, some 80% of a new batch of bees rolled the ball under the blue circle, convincing Loukola that the bees had solved the problem spontaneously.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
7 June 2026
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Promgoers cheered and raised their hands each time a train rolled into the station.—
Jane Tyska,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeled. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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