Synonyms of reeling

reeling 1 of 2

adjective

as in giddy

having a feeling of being whirled about and in danger of falling down

the blood donor experienced a reeling sensation after standing up too quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• giddy
• dizzy
• whirling
• woozy
• weak
• vertiginous
• dazed
• swimmy
• faint
• aswoon
• light-headed
• groggy
• confused
• befuddled
• addled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• steady
• stable
• clearheaded

reeling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of reel

1

as in spinning

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

• spinning
• swimming
• whirling
• turning
• swirling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collecting
• settling
• calming
• steadying

2

as in staggering

to move forward while swaying from side to side

got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able to stand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• staggering
• lurching
• weaving
• rolling
• careening
• shuffling
• stomping
• tottering
• stumbling
• teetering
• waddling
• rocking
• swaying
• wavering
• doddering
• floundering
• wobbling
• pounding
• seesawing
• barging
• blundering
• scuffling
• stamping
• lumping
• shambling
• lumbering
• tramping
• swagging
• scuffing
• clumping
• clomping
• galumphing
• tromping

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reeling

Adjective

Even if Lee were sober and thinking straight, her alluring, blows-hot-and-cold Betty Jo would be impossible for a guy like Lee — reckless, reeling, distractible — to resist. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025

Verb

Regardless of which candidate wins the governorship, such legislation would face difficult questions in Sacramento, especially at a time when the state is still reeling from federal funding cuts. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026

Post-production in Southern California has been reeling from an unprecedented industry contraction, partly due to the flight of filming to other states and countries. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

The Giants already have moved to -150 favorites to win the division on DraftKings ahead of the self-destructing Dallas Cowboys (+235), the messy Commanders (+560) and the reeling Eagles (+3300). — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

The Dolphins notched their first win of the season against the reeling Jets. — Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Cooper Flagg had 29 points and 11 assists, plus blocked a shot that would have given Miami the lead in the final moments, and the Dallas Mavericks sent the reeling Miami Heat to 0-4 with a 113-109 win on Monday night. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Room for Disagreement Iowa is reeling from high gas prices and a moribund agriculture market, causing dissatisfaction with the long-ruling GOP. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Eagles banged up on both sides The Eagles will enter Monday night reeling from multiple key injuries. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Elk Grove and its large Sikh community were left reeling from the killings. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026