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
CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
The Lexington community, still reeling from a 5-year-old’s death in a home explosion five months ago, is on edge after gas lines continue to get hit by companies installing fiber optic cables.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Stabler smirked before opening the door for her, and delivering the two words that had long-time fans reeling.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
If the team is reeling and injuries are rearing their ugly head once again, leading to a disappointing record, then there’s a chance because only a select player or two are untouchable.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Dreamgirls fans are reeling about Jennifer Holliday’s recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2025
While Alex is reeling from his discovery, Dwayne attacks him and hauls him away.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Many federal agencies are still reeling from widespread workforce reductions earlier this year.
—Nik Popli, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
The launch of the program comes at a time when the nation is reeling from political and everyday gun violence.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
This weekend’s nationwide rallies coalesced around popular anger seen earlier this year in isolated incidents throughout Morocco, including in areas still reeling from the deadly 2023 earthquake.
—CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
The Lexington community, still reeling from a 5-year-old’s death in a home explosion five months ago, is on edge after gas lines continue to get hit by companies installing fiber optic cables.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Stabler smirked before opening the door for her, and delivering the two words that had long-time fans reeling.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
If the team is reeling and injuries are rearing their ugly head once again, leading to a disappointing record, then there’s a chance because only a select player or two are untouchable.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Dreamgirls fans are reeling about Jennifer Holliday’s recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2025
While Alex is reeling from his discovery, Dwayne attacks him and hauls him away.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Many federal agencies are still reeling from widespread workforce reductions earlier this year.
—Nik Popli, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
The launch of the program comes at a time when the nation is reeling from political and everyday gun violence.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeling
Adjective
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While the film is filled with incredible gay kisses, my personal favorite remains when Ennis and Jack reunite for the first time; there’s nothing giddier than the full-body passion that overtakes you after being reunited with your long-distance true love after months — or years — or longing.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
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Both actors do very well at building their secret courtship, which is at first playful and giddy, and later intense, desperate and even violent.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Beyond Fever’s head-spinning commercial success, the band’s debut album was the most popular LP to come from the online MySpace era of pop-punk and emo music.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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Beaches all along the Eastern seaboard will be plagued by life-threatening rip currents and large swells for much of next week because of Humberto spinning offshore and future Imelda.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The young men in Bruins blue and gold staggering off the field afterwards dazed, confused.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
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Roughly two-thirds of the state’s billionaires made their fortunes in finance and investments, including richest resident (former NYC mayor) Michael Bloomberg, who’s worth staggering $109 billion.—
Ella Malmgren,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
-
Ten percent impairs performance and leaves you dizzy and faint.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The administration’s lurching one way and another with tariffs is another example.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
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The title track opens the affair by lurching and creeping forward for ten minutes with odd, off-putting lyrics.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Anderson is a rare and rangy breed of cinematic maximalist—a satirical quasi-historian and pop-cultural magpie with a gift for weaving disparate influences into a marvellously unruly synthesis.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
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Of course, for most visitors, the very act of lining up, sweating, and weaving through stalls is part of the magic of visiting Taiwan.—
Clarissa Wei,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeling. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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