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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spells
John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
This keeps them from being damaged during warm spells that turn cold again.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
There were improvements in players like Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, the development of Joao Gomes and Maximilian Kilman, and the best spells in the Wolves careers of both Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Words become spells now, so use them wisely.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 2 Nov. 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
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
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
But when one of their daughters suddenly begins suffering from unexplained fainting spells, their choice is shaken and strange twists begin to happen.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
This keeps them from being damaged during warm spells that turn cold again.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
There were improvements in players like Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, the development of Joao Gomes and Maximilian Kilman, and the best spells in the Wolves careers of both Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Words become spells now, so use them wisely.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 2 Nov. 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
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
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
-
Warner possesses valuable European sports rights that would require government approvals to sell.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The governor of New York possesses the authority, under the state constitution and the New York City Charter, to remove mayors and other local officials from office.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 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
-
With the launch of the Culling Game in the aftermath, 10 colonies from across Japan are transformed into dens of curses as part of a plot orchestrated by the most wicked sorcerer in history, Noritoshi Kamo.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Up ahead, two men argued, their shouts and curses drowning out the hum of a helicopter that circled in the distance.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 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 11 Nov. 2025.
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