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as in staggered
to move forward while swaying from side to side
got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able to stand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reeled
As the airline industry reeled and competitors quickly began furloughing employees, Southwest’s leadership gathered in their Dallas boardroom.
—
The Oklahoman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
These direct relationships of mutual candor and trust have been vital in delivering wins for the state where others reeled.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
Nearby Flint still reeled from the water crisis.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
But only a few moments after chucking a wild runner off the side of the backboard to fall to 0 of 7, Kuminga reeled the Hawks crowd back in with a decisive transition layup over Brandin Podziemski to score his only basket of the night.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
When the Avs faltered before the Olympic break, the Stars reeled them back in.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
On those previous two occasions, Guardiola’s team successfully reeled them in.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Five straight Poway victories reeled Buchanan back in.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Kenny eventually reeled the shark close enough to shore to unhook and release it.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
The Oklahoman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
These direct relationships of mutual candor and trust have been vital in delivering wins for the state where others reeled.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
Nearby Flint still reeled from the water crisis.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
But only a few moments after chucking a wild runner off the side of the backboard to fall to 0 of 7, Kuminga reeled the Hawks crowd back in with a decisive transition layup over Brandin Podziemski to score his only basket of the night.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
When the Avs faltered before the Olympic break, the Stars reeled them back in.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
On those previous two occasions, Guardiola’s team successfully reeled them in.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Five straight Poway victories reeled Buchanan back in.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Kenny eventually reeled the shark close enough to shore to unhook and release it.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeled
Verb
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Nikki Glaser spun an unfortunate situation into comedy gold.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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At the time, many observers, including former board members, wondered whether the company should be broken apart, with its manufacturing facilities sold or spun into a separate business.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The transition has to be staggered.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Together the strangers slung Haridasse's arms over their shoulders and staggered to the finish line as a trio.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Although San Francisco Bay is cold, the fitness icon Jack La Lanne once swam to the island pulling a rowboat, and several children also made the swim.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
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At the event, children could make paper at an activity table and experience animals inside the museum, including Augie, a red-eared slider turtle, who swam to the surface briefly when visitors peered into the pool.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wembanyama lurched forward, toppled and slammed the right side of his face on the floor.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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When robots lurched, slipped, and occasionally froze mid-stride at the 2026 Beijing half-marathon on April 19, the internet quickly turned the spectacle into a meme.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shoemaker swerved right off the 210 and rolled his Ford Bronco down the embankment, about three stories high, and onto the 57 freeway.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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At the sweet sound of the final whistle, Martin Odegaard rolled onto the turf and lay there motionless.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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