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
Relevance
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
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
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spell
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Before All3, Dowding had a long spell at BBC Studios predecessor BBC Worldwide before exiting in 2013.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 May 2026
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Any break below this area could spell doom and see shares flush out to the $80 level.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spell
Noun
How many spells were cast, how many virgins were sacrificed, how many first-borns were murdered so that this could happen?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Before All3, Dowding had a long spell at BBC Studios predecessor BBC Worldwide before exiting in 2013.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 May 2026
Verb
The story of this pivotal moment in World War II, which gave the Allies a foothold in mainland Europe and spelled the beginning of the end for Adolf Hitler’s forces, has been recounted in countless books, movies and miniseries.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Any break below this area could spell doom and see shares flush out to the $80 level.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell
Noun
-
As Rachel learns about the family curse that threatens her and her betrothed, Morrone digs in with emotional complexity and real grit.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
As Frankelda and Herneval grow closer, their bond becomes both a strength and a curse.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Factor in at least one recession and one bout of inflation over the coming decade — both historically normal — and 130% is a reasonable working assumption.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
-
On June 14, also Flag Day, the White House cage will be the venue for the UFC Freedom 250 event, which will see Georgian Ilia Topuria and American Justin Gaethje face off in a title bout meant to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The heated Toto toilets are a delight, as are the Diptyque products found in the shower, yoga mat and meditation pillow in the closet, and binoculars that urge you to sit and people-watch for a while.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Now, with another investigation opening, and extensive repairs needed at LC-36, New Glenn may be grounded for a while, potentially forcing NASA to change its expectations for how Blue Origin will support upcoming Artemis missions.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Mars, however, lost most of its global magnetic field billions of years ago and today possesses only a much weaker, patchier magnetic environment formed when the solar wind interacts directly with the planet’s thin upper atmosphere.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
-
But the natural skills which birds have possessed for millions of years give an idea of what future drones will be able to do.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Manchester City are coming to terms with life after Pep Guardiola — but that does not mean their days of dominance are coming to an end.—
Dean Jones,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Which means that Sula Mae Peace means Peace Peace, which is a kind of wonderful ironic doubling because this is not a peaceful clan of people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Because the incantation, in both pieces, is the language.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
As prospective farmers struggled to clear forests for rice fields in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Malaya, their efforts might have been accompanied by mystical incantations like this invocation against Iblis, the Devil in Islamic tradition.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The first-half diagnosis The strangest part of San Diego’s sophomore season is that the attack has not collapsed.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Starting a tad later in 2008, SpaceX has managed to shoot 14,844 payloads into space – almost equal to the total of the rest of the world combined.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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