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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reins
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2025
Thaksin returned on the same day his family’s political party took up the reins of government once again.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
The American designer brought Miceli on board with him at Louis Vuitton, eventually handing her the design reins for fashion jewelry.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Belong by Jay Som — 10/10 Melina Duterte is finally back behind the reins as Jay Som for the first time in six years, after spending time producing and playing for other artists, including a little band known as boygenius.
—James Factora, Them., 3 Sep. 2025
And there appear to be no reins, either.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
In December, Suntory replaced Niinami by promoting Torii as president, in a move that saw the Japanese whiskey maker’s reins being handed back to the family.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Wintour held firm the reins at American Vogue for 37 years.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Greg Abel, who will take reins at Berkshire Hathaway from Buffett at the end of the year, expressed disappointment to Kraft Heinz, according to Buffett.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Thaksin returned on the same day his family’s political party took up the reins of government once again.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
The American designer brought Miceli on board with him at Louis Vuitton, eventually handing her the design reins for fashion jewelry.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Belong by Jay Som — 10/10 Melina Duterte is finally back behind the reins as Jay Som for the first time in six years, after spending time producing and playing for other artists, including a little band known as boygenius.
—James Factora, Them., 3 Sep. 2025
And there appear to be no reins, either.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
In December, Suntory replaced Niinami by promoting Torii as president, in a move that saw the Japanese whiskey maker’s reins being handed back to the family.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Wintour held firm the reins at American Vogue for 37 years.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Greg Abel, who will take reins at Berkshire Hathaway from Buffett at the end of the year, expressed disappointment to Kraft Heinz, according to Buffett.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reins
Noun
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Writer-director Benny Safdie helms this A24 drama that’s sure to be on Oscar voters’ radars.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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The 63-year-old chef helms the kitchen at Vila Joya—the restaurant of a gracious boutique hotel in Portugal that shares its name—which earned one Michelin star in 1995 and a second in 1999.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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He's been incredible with the Mets, and his power is almost impossible to replace.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The rallies aimed to demonstrate the power of the working class in cities including Boston, Chicago, Detroit and New York.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Republican strategist David Oman, who served as her finance chair in 2014, said her departure wasn’t a shock after months of speculation but still marks a major moment for Iowa politics.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Trump has criticized the Fed and its chair, Jerome Powell, for months for not lowering interest rates, and recently took aim at Powell over a costly renovation of the bank's Washington headquarters.—
Jeff Mason,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Beijing’s close partnership with Pakistan — extending beyond economic corridors into military equipment and intelligence cooperation — further constrains how far ties can develop.—
Spriha Srivastava,
CNBC,
1 Sep. 2025
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But digital illiteracy still constrains African banks’ ability to serve their customers, according to nearly 8 in 10 respondents, made up of 203 senior banking executives from 40 African countries.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reins. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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