1
as in to possess
to cast a spell on
it was as if he had spelled the public into believing his ridiculous claims
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mean
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
that summertime combination of hot temperatures and equally hot tempers can spell trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in curse
a spoken word or set of words believed to have magic power
the witch cast a spell that turned the prince into a toad
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in bout
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder
a dizzy spell that caused me to fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in while
an indefinite but usually short period of time
come rest a spell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spell
Justin Sablich, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The D’Amico sisters’ names were spelled incorrectly in the report, but a source familiar with the matter and family confirmed their identities.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 30 July 2025
David Ornstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
The three team up to defeat the evildoers, but in the end Peter makes the tough decision and allows Doctor Strange to finish his spell and make everyone forget his identity.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spell
Verb
Poor grammar, spelling errors, and generic or sloppy design are common in fraudulent communications like these.
—Justin Sablich, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The D’Amico sisters’ names were spelled incorrectly in the report, but a source familiar with the matter and family confirmed their identities.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 30 July 2025
Noun
Alexander Isak is returning to the UK and is set to resume training with Newcastle United following a spell working individually at Real Sociedad.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
The three team up to defeat the evildoers, but in the end Peter makes the tough decision and allows Doctor Strange to finish his spell and make everyone forget his identity.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell
Verb
-
The question of who ultimately possesses the authority to impose tariffs has remained the key to those who wish to challenge the tariffs, with an 11-judge panel appearing unconvinced that Trump can bypass Congress on the issue, particularly when looking at the IEEPA.—
Peter Aitken
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
-
No football player, including Underwood himself, strives in Pop Warner to possess his unique skill.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Few players mean as much to their clubs and fanbases as Alonso does to the Mets.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
13 Aug. 2025
-
And that's a major problem for anyone who's not used to having turn signals on their bike (meaning almost everyone).—
JOHN TIMMER,
ArsTechnica,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Rumors of a Satanic curse on the event skittered around the Haight, so early on the morning of the 14th, Ginsberg, Snyder, and Alan Watts conducted a pradakshina, a Buddhist purification rite.—
Dennis McNally,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
As those points attest, emotional wording can be a blessing and a curse.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Charles Darwin, himself a sufferer, recorded in the journals documenting his time aboard H.M.S. Beagle a folk custom that had been shared with him during a bad bout in Argentina.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Following the deaths, all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of 12, according to CNN.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The showers may take a while to become visible, and your eyes will need at least 15 to 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
If your fatigue is not relieved after getting good sleep, eating a healthy diet, or using a supplement for a while, see a healthcare provider.—
Emmanuella Ogbonna,
Health,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Once Venus enters Leo on Aug. 25, the love planet will charm your eighth house of intimate affairs and emotional bonds, heightening your desires and longings.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The cat's clumsy adventure quickly charmed viewers who recognized the mischievous nature of felines.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This year, the movement is spreading across the league as there is a drastic rise in the number of Raise Awareness for Mental Health Games, signifying a cultural shift: mental health is no longer a side conversation in professional football.—
Brook Choulet,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The sturgeon moon signifies people harvesting and preparing for fall.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
How to turn a human into a statistic, an alien, an enemy combatant–transformations worked not through incantation, but through the movement of paper in government offices.—
Celia Bell
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
-
Then, in what might be one of the most fitting metaphors of parenting and family-building in horror-comedy history, everyone—Rohan, Josh, their parents, their partner's parents, and even their friend—start screaming the same garbled Latin incantation in an effort to confuse the demon.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share