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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
The wild animal wasted no time in grabbing on to the cone and hung on tightly as he was reeled up.
—
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
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
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeled
Verb
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Entertainers tend to bend memory to their advantage; Margolick, contemptuous of myth, straightens the record, especially the legends spun by Mel Brooks, Caesar’s protégé.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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Shaw spun away and angled a low far-post shot past Lorena, tilting the game toward the visiting team.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Board members will serve for four years, but the inaugural board will include some two-year appointments so terms are staggered.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Its board of directors has six seats, with elections staggered so that half of the board turns over at a time.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Some people even swam across the mile-wide river, or walked across its ice in winter, believing that freedom and opportunity awaited them on the other side.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Stewart eventually swam to shore and walked to the Deer Park Life Saving Station.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When he was sacked amid boardroom disputes in September, owner Evangelos Marinakis lurched in another direction.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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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
Verb
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But what really piqued our interest was the silver suitcase the singer rolled behind her.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
11 Nov. 2025
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Cavalry midfielder Fraser Aird, who spent five seasons with Rangers in Scotland, opened the scoring with a penalty goal that rolled through the snow and into the back of Atletico’s goal in the 33rd minute.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeled. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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