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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reeling
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
David Hill, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
If Mamdani wins, the progressive Left, which has been reeling ever since last November's presidential election, will treat the victory as proof of concept.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The series follows the slow and halting coming together of Noah, reeling from a broken relationship, and Joanne (Kristen Bell), an agnostic podcaster with seemingly little in common with the spiritual leader.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
American soybean farmers have been reeling from China’s effective embargo on the commodity that began in May, when higher tariffs went into place.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
The decision left survivors reeling.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Government grants have never been guaranteed, Brown Grosvenor said, but the suddenness with which they have been sliced or eliminated has many organizations reeling.
—Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
The Bills are reeling, with two straight losses, and now face a plucky team in a hostile environment.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
Nashville was left reeling by a Messi hat trick in the regular season finale, while Miami also has bragging rights over Nashville after their 2023 Leagues Cup final thriller.
—Avi Creditor, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Recent reports that a number of current and former NBA players were allegedly faking injuries and trading inside information with crooked gamblers has left sports fans and media reeling.
—David Hill, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
If Mamdani wins, the progressive Left, which has been reeling ever since last November's presidential election, will treat the victory as proof of concept.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The series follows the slow and halting coming together of Noah, reeling from a broken relationship, and Joanne (Kristen Bell), an agnostic podcaster with seemingly little in common with the spiritual leader.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
American soybean farmers have been reeling from China’s effective embargo on the commodity that began in May, when higher tariffs went into place.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
The decision left survivors reeling.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Government grants have never been guaranteed, Brown Grosvenor said, but the suddenness with which they have been sliced or eliminated has many organizations reeling.
—Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
The Bills are reeling, with two straight losses, and now face a plucky team in a hostile environment.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
Nashville was left reeling by a Messi hat trick in the regular season finale, while Miami also has bragging rights over Nashville after their 2023 Leagues Cup final thriller.
—Avi Creditor, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeling
Adjective
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Helm rises too, goes as high as possible, gets a little giddy (there are upper limits to Helm’s domain).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The overall impact leaves even a coffee utilitarian like me giddy.—
Editors of Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By comparison, Seoul Station tells us more about how the zombie virus began while also spinning a tight, impactful story centered on three compelling characters.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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The trailer tees up his infatuation rom-com style before spinning into explosive action.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Cheng likes to build muni bond ladders, which means staggering the maturity dates of multiple bonds.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
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To get through the season and the playoffs, staggering the minutes of Green and Horford is logical, even with Quintin Post picking up some center minutes.—
Jannelle Moore,
Mercury News,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Symptoms can include vomiting more than three times a day, feeling constantly dizzy and lightheaded and losing weight.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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Traditionally, Sean Payton’s teams deploy a revolving personnel carousel that can leave opposing defensive coordinators dizzy.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The mood is lurching between calm and doom-mongering chaos.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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The administration’s lurching one way and another with tariffs is another example.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Astronomers have unveiled the largest low-frequency radio color image of the Milky Way ever created, offering a sprawling cosmic panorama that reveals supernova remnants, stellar nurseries, pulsars and the intricate glow of gas and dust weaving through our galaxy’s heart.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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And while that's true, the show is also its own beast, deviating greatly from King's story by weaving in military intrigue, spycraft, and Native American mythology.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeling. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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