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.
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Recent Examples of spells
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
In fact, Kansas had multiple instances of cold shooting spells, allowing Fort Hays State to stay within striking distance.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
Visitors can explore familiar settings, try out spells and see how the story’s most famous moments were created for the screen.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
My son had to work to follow Jack’s metamorphoses, to track the relationship between the spells and their consequences.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The pair are gifted grimoires at the age of 15, though Asta's is a rare Grimoire of Anti-Magic that negates and repels his opponent's spells.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Plan for Ear Equalization Baéz says the pressure changes during takeoff and descent can cause discomfort, ear pain, or crying spells.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
Bette Midler may soon be casting new spells, following the actress giving an update on the status of Hocus Pocus 3.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2025
These are the types of spells that can cost games.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
And such prolific usage spells good things against the Panthers, who have struggled defending tight ends and running backs in the passing game this year.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
A lot of this occurs off-page, in contrast to the movie, which spells things out incredibly plainly.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Flacco represents an immediate upgrade at quarterback over Browning, and spells good news for fantasy football managers who have worried about the Bengals star wide receivers after a slow start to the season.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Sam Houston is 0-4 (bad), but the program spells Bearkats with a k (good).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
That spells disaster, says Douglas Webber, emeritus professor of political science at the international business school lNSEAD, south of Paris.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
And experts tell Fortune that spells a lot of trouble for innovation and long-term business stability.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Its songs are stacked with nods to John the Conqueror root (a plant that’s thought to enhance luck), and spells to bring back a lover.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
Parker himself looks to have learned from his previous spells in the Premier League with Fulham and Bournemouth.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
In fact, Kansas had multiple instances of cold shooting spells, allowing Fort Hays State to stay within striking distance.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
Visitors can explore familiar settings, try out spells and see how the story’s most famous moments were created for the screen.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
My son had to work to follow Jack’s metamorphoses, to track the relationship between the spells and their consequences.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The pair are gifted grimoires at the age of 15, though Asta's is a rare Grimoire of Anti-Magic that negates and repels his opponent's spells.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Plan for Ear Equalization Baéz says the pressure changes during takeoff and descent can cause discomfort, ear pain, or crying spells.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
Bette Midler may soon be casting new spells, following the actress giving an update on the status of Hocus Pocus 3.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2025
These are the types of spells that can cost games.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
The birds have survived in hordes in the deserts, but civilization nearly always spells their doom.
—Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
And such prolific usage spells good things against the Panthers, who have struggled defending tight ends and running backs in the passing game this year.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
A lot of this occurs off-page, in contrast to the movie, which spells things out incredibly plainly.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Flacco represents an immediate upgrade at quarterback over Browning, and spells good news for fantasy football managers who have worried about the Bengals star wide receivers after a slow start to the season.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Sam Houston is 0-4 (bad), but the program spells Bearkats with a k (good).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
That spells disaster, says Douglas Webber, emeritus professor of political science at the international business school lNSEAD, south of Paris.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
And experts tell Fortune that spells a lot of trouble for innovation and long-term business stability.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Its songs are stacked with nods to John the Conqueror root (a plant that’s thought to enhance luck), and spells to bring back a lover.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spells
Noun
-
There’s a little bit of mystery with the spirits, incantations and rituals.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The familiar voice remains recognizable, although hoarser due to the ravages of cancer and the endless bouts of chemotherapy and radiation.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Stocks remain near record highs , although October saw bouts of volatility that saw some of the largest one-day losses in stock market history.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
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
-
While each of these submarines is designed to carry up to 16 nuclear missiles, France only possesses 48 ballistic missiles—enough to arm three submarines, as the remaining vessel is always undergoing routine maintenance, the Nuclear Information Project said.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
According to estimates by the Arms Control Association, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and the Federation of American Scientists, Russia possesses the most nuclear weapons in the world.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That means that the lowest-income families would be affected the least.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Plus, the very nature of recording your live stream of thoughts means a lot of editing later down the line.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The source of a zombie outbreak can come from anywhere, including ancient curses and meteorites from space.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
-
That mindset leads to no shortage of delightfully blasé supernatural adventures rife with magic and curses.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This mountainous region is known for its lush forests, lakes and valleys – and for being a hotspot for this year’s deadly bear attacks in Japan.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a large portion of Iran's ballistic missile arsenal was destroyed during the first hours of the aerial attacks.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Like so many other bits of Times coverage, the whole of the piece is structured as an orchestrated encounter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Those bits of baked-on food should wipe right off after a good soak.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spells. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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