1
as in helm
the place of leadership or command
after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in power
the right or means to command or control others
a peaceful transfer of the reins of government has always been a hallmark of our nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reins
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
His mom so graciously gave us—two wide-eyed 11-year-olds—the reins to plan and curate our own menu.
—Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Since rupturing his Achilles, the Cleveland Browns have drafted three quarterbacks, including Shedeur Sanders, who took the reins to close the 2025 season after Dillon Gabriel, who started after Joe Flacco was traded, suffered a concussion.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
After Ole Miss’s starting quarterback suffered an ankle injury in week two, Chambliss took the reins and thrived.
—Bomani Jones, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Today, as the company’s ninth CEO in its 102-year history takes the reins, Josh D’Amaro is forced to navigate his own existential crisis brought about by an emerging technology—artificial intelligence.
—Roland Betancourt, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
The verbal jousting restarted as public members sought to take the reins of these working groups before federal members cut in to suggest that public members were boxing federal members out of any leadership position.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
Such reins on an industry that has billed itself as capable of extinguishing humankind are, theoretically, in everyone’s interest.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Apple announced earlier this month that Tim Cook will step down as CEO in September and hand over the reins to the company’s current hardware chief, John Ternus.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
But Solis wound up being called only as a limited defense witness, and Duffy’s trial partner, Chris Gair, wound up taking the reins on the questioning.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
His mom so graciously gave us—two wide-eyed 11-year-olds—the reins to plan and curate our own menu.
—Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Since rupturing his Achilles, the Cleveland Browns have drafted three quarterbacks, including Shedeur Sanders, who took the reins to close the 2025 season after Dillon Gabriel, who started after Joe Flacco was traded, suffered a concussion.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
After Ole Miss’s starting quarterback suffered an ankle injury in week two, Chambliss took the reins and thrived.
—Bomani Jones, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Today, as the company’s ninth CEO in its 102-year history takes the reins, Josh D’Amaro is forced to navigate his own existential crisis brought about by an emerging technology—artificial intelligence.
—Roland Betancourt, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
The verbal jousting restarted as public members sought to take the reins of these working groups before federal members cut in to suggest that public members were boxing federal members out of any leadership position.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
Such reins on an industry that has billed itself as capable of extinguishing humankind are, theoretically, in everyone’s interest.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Apple announced earlier this month that Tim Cook will step down as CEO in September and hand over the reins to the company’s current hardware chief, John Ternus.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reins
Noun
-
The 38-year-old was hired as the club’s new under-21s coach from Southampton’s academy last summer and then promoted to Rosenior’s backroom staff after impressing in a two-game spell at the helm following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
While statements attributed to him have been released, he has not been seen publicly since purportedly taking the helm in Tehran.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Stars’ 71 power-play goals ranked first in the NHL in 2025-26, and Johnston’s 27 were the second-most in a single season since the 2004-05 lockout.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
They're driven very much by power, domination, control.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rooms California-cool meets Big Bear coziness here, with light, airy rooms warmed up by charming blue plaid chairs, thick wooden furniture, and floral wallpapers in various coastal shades.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Marsha Eriks, surgical technologist instructor and program chair, expected 60 to 100 students to cycle through her labs.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At certain points in the novel, that distance calcifies and restrains his writing.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Major marine war risk providers have started to scrap cover for vessels operating in the Persian Gulf as the fallout from a sudden security shock hobbles key shipping routes in the region.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Carolyn switches her nail color from a bold red to a blander shade; John hobbles out of his George magazine office wearing a cast on his left ankle due to a paragliding accident.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The officer again tells Timberlake to turn around and handcuffs him.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Placing the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts severely handcuffs what the Falcons can do this offseason.—
Omar Kelly
March 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More adventurous than the Solterra, the Uncharted wears a thin line across the nose that tethers its LED running lights to its logo.—
Marty Padgett,
The Drive,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Secrets that could take down a company, an industry; that's a bond that tethers you for life.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
To address this, Ivo uses a multi-step pipeline that chains together more than 400 model calls for each contract review.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Tokyo Central is owned by Japanese company Pan Pacific Retail Management, which also runs the grocery chains Gelson’s and Don Quijote.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reins. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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