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

With one of the NFL’s toughest schedules looming and the Rams reeling from their own setbacks, the Chargers’ listless performance raises urgent doubts about where this team might be heading. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The result was a series of drubbings in the late stages of Grand Slam tournaments that had left Zverev reeling after his loss in the first round of Wimbledon 14 months ago. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The warning, which sent data center infrastructure stocks reeling, fueled a sharp rally in cybersecurity stocks. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

The Yankees’ significance to New Yorkers became even clearer during that postseason as a reeling community rallied around their playoff run. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

The tussle over the soccer match also comes with Spain still reeling from a massive border crossing by tens of thousands of migrants who pushed through the frontier from Morocco into the north African Spanish enclave in late July. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

The new images give us first look at what’s to come as the residents of Rutshire have been left reeling from tragedy, scandal and betrayal. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

In the days since, the William Jewell and Liberty communities have been left reeling with the unexpected loss. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026

Norway’s new King Haakon VIII will be hoping that sentiment rings true following the death of his father, King Harald who died Friday after 35 years on the throne, marking the latest blow for a family reeling from scandal. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026