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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
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
Kenny eventually reeled the shark close enough to shore to unhook and release it.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
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
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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Throughout their first five albums, the band has spun a web, not unlike the orb weavers of their native Virginia, that marries country, rock, honky-tonk grit and Appalachian soul with rowdy barroom energy.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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Truth is spun in a way to be framed in a positive light for the one who has the biggest microphone at that moment.—
Adam Duxter,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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But Betts’ staggered playing time will only last so long, and the Dodgers would like to refrain from having both Kim and Freeland on the bench.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Indiana has staggered statewide elections, so Bray is not up for reelection until 2028, but his leadership position could be in jeopardy with the results of Tuesday's election.—
Caroline Linton,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The original oceanic adventure was released only a decade ago, and the second movie swam into theaters in November 2024.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
Crisp swam up to over a dozen people in the wave pool that day and placed his hands on their buttocks, according to Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Brittany Ford, who was referring to surveillance footage reviewed by law enforcement.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2026
Verb
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So between those two things, the balance of gerrymanders has lurched pretty abruptly toward the right.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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Meanwhile, federal policy has lurched in opposite directions.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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First, this type of coverage is often rolled into your loan total.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
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Vincent Bolloré is seen as having had a hand in the appointment in 2023 of far-right journalist Geoffroy Lejeune as editor of Sunday newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, or JDD, as its Lagardère Group parent group was in the process of being rolled into Vivendi.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeled. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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