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

The prospect of mass deportations to a country reeling from deadly gang warfare, a deepening humanitarian emergency and record numbers of people who have fled their homes has alarmed Haitians at home and abroad. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

The deal for the 194-room hotel offers hopeful signs for the reeling hospitality sector in the Bay Area. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

By the end of the series, the family is reeling from a devastating loss, while Sheldon makes the difficult decision to leave Texas behind to pursue his academic goals in California. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Season three kicks off after the cliffhanger with the family reeling from George being taken to the hospital and Jackie, Cole and Alex left to deal with the fallout of that big love confession. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

At least 25 people have died on California beaches due to coastal landslides, and many in San Diego’s North County are still reeling from a 2019 bluff collapse that killed three women in Encinitas. — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

In 2008, reeling from the global financial crisis, the British government formally recognized Tibet as part of China—surrendering over a century of support for Tibetan autonomy. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

The Democratic Party is reeling after new allegations against Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 July 2026