1
as in incantations
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 bouts
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 whiles
an indefinite but usually short period of time
come rest a spell
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in possesses
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 means
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
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 spells
Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
In another shocking revelation, former Everton midfielder Li Tie admitted paying rival teams to help two clubs win promotion to the Chinese Super League during managerial spells between 2015 and 2019.
—Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
At the same time, severe OCD, intrusive thoughts and uncontrollable crying spells took a major toll on Cust’s mental health.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
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
Philip Elliott, Time, 8 June 2026
The L'Oca d'Oro website spells that out, too.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
And this spells trouble for parts of the fast casual industry.
—Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 27 May 2026
His presence on the roster spells trouble for Patrick Bailey, the two-time reigning NL Gold Glove winner whose highly meager offensive contributions are becoming less tolerable in a struggling lineup of out-makers.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 4 May 2026
And the chart spells it out, admittedly in very tiny print.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
The British government spells it out in guidance for staff working with classified documents.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The timing of Tim Cook’s departure from Apple spells good things for the company’s fiscal second-quarter earnings report, set to be released on April 30, Wall Street analysts are buzzing.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Not everyone thinks this spells disaster, however.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
Though Australia are happy to hold their shape for long spells, this is not solely a passive setup.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
In another shocking revelation, former Everton midfielder Li Tie admitted paying rival teams to help two clubs win promotion to the Chinese Super League during managerial spells between 2015 and 2019.
—Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
At the same time, severe OCD, intrusive thoughts and uncontrollable crying spells took a major toll on Cust’s mental health.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
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
Verb
And in Pennsylvania, a three-seat swing in the state Senate could kick off a series of events that ultimately spells trouble for the state’s 10 GOP House members.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 8 June 2026
The L'Oca d'Oro website spells that out, too.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
And this spells trouble for parts of the fast casual industry.
—Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 27 May 2026
His presence on the roster spells trouble for Patrick Bailey, the two-time reigning NL Gold Glove winner whose highly meager offensive contributions are becoming less tolerable in a struggling lineup of out-makers.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 4 May 2026
And the chart spells it out, admittedly in very tiny print.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
The British government spells it out in guidance for staff working with classified documents.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The timing of Tim Cook’s departure from Apple spells good things for the company’s fiscal second-quarter earnings report, set to be released on April 30, Wall Street analysts are buzzing.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Not everyone thinks this spells disaster, however.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spells
Noun
-
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
-
Where ancient midwives had summoned divine assistance by uttering incantations, medieval maternity caregivers called upon saintly mothers by reciting rhythmical charms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Regular movement reduces tension, worry and restlessness, even short bouts can calm the mind and body.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
Inside the Bemelmans’ Bar room espresso martinis were on steady order as random bouts of singing rang out alongside the live music.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
UCHealth’s decision to postpone surgeries whiles staff addressed the sterilization problem stands out from other hospitals that have found themselves in similar situations.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But if everyone possesses the same technological advantage, technical proficiency alone will no longer distinguish students.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
FNPPs leverage shipyard capacity and regulatory expertise, with approximately 75% of total value added associated with the Balance of Plant—areas where the Greek maritime-industrial base already possesses relevant capabilities.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes, this means an actual death is rendered on the page, but not always.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
That means Democrats are locked out of the race for California’s 40th Congressional District.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Chants laced with curses echo through Madison Square Garden.—
Albert Samaha,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
-
This energy can even cause a jinx, curses or even death.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 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
-
Simple steps like version pinning or requiring a cool-down period before new library releases are available to developers can go a very long way toward blunting the supply chain attacks that are about to become far more common.—
Philip Martin,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Now, though, scientists have discovered bits of tissue removed from a species of sea cucumber called Psolus fabricii can keep on living indefinitely if they’re left in ordinary seawater.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
Just non-stop dribbles, counter-attacks, through balls, amazing finishes… all of football’s good bits.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spells. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
