Synonyms of reeled

reeled

verb

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

• spun
• swam
• whirled
• turned
• swirled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collected
• settled
• calmed
• steadied

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

• staggered
• lurched
• weaved
• rolled
• shuffled
• stomped
• stumbled
• waddled
• tottered
• careened
• rocked
• teetered
• swayed
• doddered
• wavered
• wobbled
• floundered
• barged
• pounded
• blundered
• seesawed
• lumped
• stamped
• shambled
• clumped
• lumbered
• scuffled
• tramped
• swagged
• scuffed
• clomped
• galumphed
• tromped

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reeled

With tweezers, the scientists gently pulled the strand of silk from the spider’s spinnerets — the abdominal spigots that fibers emerge from — and reeled it in by winding it around a vial with a spinning motor. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026

The ballroom reeled from Ballas’ brutality, but it wasn’t unilaterally applied. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2026

The primary came as the Chicago area reeled from arrests, deportations and violence that occurred during Operation Midway Blitz, the federal government’s immigration enforcement campaign last fall. — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

In the wake of his death, the Platte County courthouse sat empty for two days, leaving the town square around it quiet as the community reeled from the news. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

But Clemson reeled the Tar Heels back in, slowing down a rushing attack led by Benjamin Hall (130 rushing yards) and making quarterback Billy Edwards, by the end, look flustered and out of sorts. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026

As the family reeled from the loss, Doug made his daughter his top priority. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

In 1995-96, Newcastle tore into the lead at the top of the division and although Manchester United reeled them in, relentless and unforgiving, the drama was human. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026