1
as in helm
the place of leadership or command
after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in power
the right or means to command or control others
a peaceful transfer of the reins of government has always been a hallmark of our nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of reins
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
By the time Megan seizes control of the reins at the film’s close, the abrupt denouement feels jarringly disconnected rather than organic to the storytelling.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The same can be said for Charles Carson (Jim Carter), the head butler, who’s retiring and handing over the reins to the younger Andy Parker (Michael Fox).
—Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Two-time major champion and inaugural CEO of LIV golf, Greg Norman, stepped down from his role last year, announcing on X that Scott O'Neil would take over the reins.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere in the Happy Sad Confused interview, Murphy teased his brief role in The Bone Temple and discussed The Marvels filmmaker Nia DaCosta taking over the directorial reins from franchise architect Danny Boyle.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
And the current federal government has sought to loosen the reins on big tech companies, rather than tightening them.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
So much so that earlier this year he was handed the reins of Maison Margiela, succeeding John Galliano.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
The East Mecklenburg grad starred in football and basketball, and took on the program’s reins three years ago, returning to his alma mater as head coach.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
But for much of the film, Mary faces resistance from her father, Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), who is reluctant to pass the reins.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
By the time Megan seizes control of the reins at the film’s close, the abrupt denouement feels jarringly disconnected rather than organic to the storytelling.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The same can be said for Charles Carson (Jim Carter), the head butler, who’s retiring and handing over the reins to the younger Andy Parker (Michael Fox).
—Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Two-time major champion and inaugural CEO of LIV golf, Greg Norman, stepped down from his role last year, announcing on X that Scott O'Neil would take over the reins.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere in the Happy Sad Confused interview, Murphy teased his brief role in The Bone Temple and discussed The Marvels filmmaker Nia DaCosta taking over the directorial reins from franchise architect Danny Boyle.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
And the current federal government has sought to loosen the reins on big tech companies, rather than tightening them.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
So much so that earlier this year he was handed the reins of Maison Margiela, succeeding John Galliano.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
The East Mecklenburg grad starred in football and basketball, and took on the program’s reins three years ago, returning to his alma mater as head coach.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reins
Noun
-
Recently returning to the helm as the brand's creative visionaire, his moment comes as a full-circle evolution with expertise in fabric construction and manufacturing of high-end fashion.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Onstage, Rousteing recounted his journey to the helm of Balmain as a young 24-year-old designer, and the first Black man to lead a major Paris fashion house.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Expect spectacle, but also a story about claiming identity and embracing power.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Boise trustees have the unusual power to increase or decrease property tax collections.—
Kevin Richert,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Raki McGregor, who also serves as the board chair of Mecklenburg County’s workforce development board Charlotte Works, recently made waves by publicly supporting candidates for CMS school board before his tenure as a CMS consultant was up.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Marcela Rodríguez, co-chair of the Illinois Latino Agenda, highlighted the importance of being prepared for ICE encounters during a press conference on Friday.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An 1878 law known as the Posse Comitatus Act generally restrains the use of the military for such purposes.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
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In the footage, a Border Patrol agent is shown holding one man with his forearm across a man’s neck – and later, an FHP officer restrains the man who is tased, grabbing him around the neck area while the man is doubled down.—
Syra Ortiz-Blanes,
Miami Herald,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But this unit is two plays — or better yet, two injuries — from being a disaster that handcuffs Miami’s offense, like last year’s unit did, after Grier laughed at the media for its concern about fragile state of the 2024 O-line.—
Omar Kelly
August 19,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
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At the crash site, some of the rescuers find Morrow, who holds them at gunpoint and handcuffs them together in the lab.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The nature of my work tethers me to London.—
Rohan Banerjee,
Time,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The plan also ties Musk's compensation to the mass production of autonomous robotaxis and humanoid robots, technologies Tesla believes could redefine both transportation and labor.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Pete escapes into the snowy woods, but Lambert tracks him down and ties him up.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Cultural Dimension Culture amplifies or constrains collaboration.—
Thomas Lim,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The law also constrains practices that had allowed towing companies to start the sales process for some vehicles after 15 days.—
Dave Altimari,
ProPublica,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reins. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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