spell 1 of 2

noun

Definition of spellnext
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

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2
as in bout
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder a dizzy spell that caused me to fall

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3
as in while
an indefinite but usually short period of time come rest a spell

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spell

2 of 2

verb

ˈspel How to pronounce spell (audio)
1
as in to possess
to cast a spell on it was as if he had spelled the public into believing his ridiculous claims

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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

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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
Noun
Frank Peavy testified Millete hired him off a freelance website, then bombarded him with requests to cast spells on his wife, CNN affiliate CBS8 reported. — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 It’s been almost 30 years since Practical Magic first hit screens, casting a spell on all who watched it. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
An endurance athlete, Steinberg spent a decade completing various marathons and Ironman triathlons to help manage his mental health following a depression spell during college. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 The shape spelled cat, and there was only one kind of cat in India big enough to make such prints. — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell
  1. curse
  2. bout
  3. while
  4. possess
  5. mean
  6. incantation
  7. attack
  8. space
Noun
  • The generational curse in question involves the men who fall in love with the Owens women, who are destined to die untimely deaths.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • When their family's love curse pops up again, the siblings work with their aunts (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest) and Sally's kids (Joey King and Maisie Williams) to break it once and for all.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • Hawaii is still recovering from previous bouts of heavy rain and flooding after Tropical Storm Lala impacted the Big Island last month.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Still, Patenaude’s family has walked boxes from one corner of his building to the other through multiple bouts of uncertainty.
    — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of bout
Noun
  • Stick one panel somewhere inconspicuous and leave it up for a while.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026
  • That’s a margin-for-error lesson, a moment that may continue to burn for a while.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of while
Verb
  • But while Maye is a more polished passer than Allen was through three seasons, Allen still possesses a level of dominance no one else has replicated.
    — Jeff Howe, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • With All-Pro tight end Bowers serving as the centerpiece alongside Michael Mayer and wideout Tre Tucker, the offense possesses far more execution upside than last fall—all while Mendoza develops behind the scenes.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of possess
Verb
  • Armed with an engine upgrade on their cars for this event, the Ferrari drivers entered the weekend with hopes of challenging for the win at an iconic race that means so much to their team.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The prevalence of starwashing does not mean that all extraterrestrial endeavors should be scorned, said The Cool Down.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of mean
Noun
  • Rifling through the belongings of her great-aunt Jet (Wiest) for a spell to save Gideon, Kylie finds the Book of Ravens, which cryptically hints at an incantation that might break the Owens’ love curse.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Hoodoo tradition presumes a belief in a supernatural or spirit world that can be called upon for assistance, often through charms and incantations.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of incantation
Noun
  • Brent crude oil prices paused in early trading on Tuesday after gaining in the previous session following a drone attack on an oil pipeline pumping station in Russia that reduced flows from Kazakhstan.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Wrexham have looked at signing strikers to add new dimensions to their attack.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Rashford controlled the ball with his left foot, waited, then released it with his right at the perfect moment to put Shaw in space.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In Chan’s apartment, a gallery wall is hung above the bed and paintings above the sofa to give the feeling of the open space operating as a bedroom on one side, and a living room on another.
    — Sophia Herring, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of space

Phrases Containing spell

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speedy
spell
spellbind
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Cite this Entry

“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spell

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spell

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