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
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Recent Examples of spells
Tom Bogert, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The opposition dominates for spells but struggles to bypass his strong defence.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In regions that are predicted to be warmer than average, spring may arrive earlier, which means gardeners should watch for faster drying soil, early growth spurts that may need extra care, and young plants that may be stressed during warm spells.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
Directed by Joel Thompson, the centuries-old tale of demons, magic spells and a deal with the devil is brought to life with special effects and theatrical stage haze.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Just look at what’s happened in the cold spells of February 2021 and December 2022.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Over time, the event has grown into the Camp Flog Gnaw Festival (its name spells Golf Wang in reverse), which sold out Dodger Stadium for two consecutive days in 2025.
—Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That spells good news for HBO, since the network has already renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for Season 2, which is set to premiere next year.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The return of starting cornerbacks Jayden Bellamy and Antione Jackson and starting safeties Demari Henderson and Braeden Marshall spells good things for the secondary.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
The deal is a significant endorsement of Google’s AI capabilities, and likely spells bad news for competitor OpenAI.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
While a visit from Randy spells nothing but chaos, Flula Borg describes himself as the opposite.
—Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
That spells good news for Boise State redshirt junior quarterback Maddux Madsen, who often looks at his best when given time in the pocket.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Dec. 2025
The birds have survived in hordes in the deserts, but civilization nearly always spells their doom.
—Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
After some good spells under Ancelotti and Heynckes, Rodríguez’s playing time diminished under Kovac.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The opposition dominates for spells but struggles to bypass his strong defence.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In regions that are predicted to be warmer than average, spring may arrive earlier, which means gardeners should watch for faster drying soil, early growth spurts that may need extra care, and young plants that may be stressed during warm spells.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
Directed by Joel Thompson, the centuries-old tale of demons, magic spells and a deal with the devil is brought to life with special effects and theatrical stage haze.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Just look at what’s happened in the cold spells of February 2021 and December 2022.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Noah Eagle will fill in on the mic, while Ahmed Fareed spells Maria Taylor as NBC’s studio host.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Over time, the event has grown into the Camp Flog Gnaw Festival (its name spells Golf Wang in reverse), which sold out Dodger Stadium for two consecutive days in 2025.
—Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That spells good news for HBO, since the network has already renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for Season 2, which is set to premiere next year.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The return of starting cornerbacks Jayden Bellamy and Antione Jackson and starting safeties Demari Henderson and Braeden Marshall spells good things for the secondary.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
The deal is a significant endorsement of Google’s AI capabilities, and likely spells bad news for competitor OpenAI.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
While a visit from Randy spells nothing but chaos, Flula Borg describes himself as the opposite.
—Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
That spells good news for Boise State redshirt junior quarterback Maddux Madsen, who often looks at his best when given time in the pocket.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Dec. 2025
The birds have survived in hordes in the deserts, but civilization nearly always spells their doom.
—Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 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
-
These chilly ocean temperatures, combined with the bouts of cold air, left the door open for a snowy winter heading into February.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Truitt attended the Air Force Academy to earn her undergraduate degree, but experiencing bouts of airsickness on military planes led her to explore a different path.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 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
-
Lester Speight, the actor who plays Terry Tate, possesses the delivery and timing of a true comic master.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The character of Mandakini required specific qualities that Rajamouli believes Chopra Jonas uniquely possesses.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That additional charge, coupled with other local taxes, means women in Pakistan face a 40% surcharge on period products, according to UNICEF, pricing out the most vulnerable.—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That means roughly two out of every three homes include a furry, feathered, scaly or crested companion.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gamers will know Brok as the beloved weapons dealer with an unrivaled artistry for creative, foul-mouthed curses.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In Jujutsu Kaisen, heroic jujutsu sorcerers wage war against demonic creatures called curses and the curse users, who wield jujutsu powers for evil.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.—
Drew Harwell,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are several bits about comedy that haven’t aged well — references to Bill Cosby and Russell Peters, and there’s a scene from The Hangover.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This brought back family gossip and hesitant bits of information about my mother’s beloved grandfather, my maternal great-grandfather.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spells. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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