as in giddy
having a feeling of being whirled about and in danger of falling down
the blood donor experienced a reeling sensation after standing up too quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in staggering
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reeling
Peter D'abrosca , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Student communities are reeling after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, raising questions about what his death means for campus politics and free speech.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Ten-foot swells rose up and sent our boat reeling.
—Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
His assassination in Utah this week has left the country reeling, stirring questions about the state of democracy due to the rise of ideological polarization and political violence that many fear threatens the pillars of unfettered free speech and other constitutional rights.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
The university remained out of session, reeling after the horror of Kirk’s final appearance.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Many are still reeling from the news of the trade.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
At the time, Katharine reportedly found comfort in the Catholic church while reeling from mental and physical health challenges, according to the BBC.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
With both teams reeling from season-opening lopsided losses, Saturday night’s contest is crucial for both teams.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Hundreds of Utah State University students still reeling from the assassination of Charlie Kirk came together at a tearful vigil hosted by the campus’ Turning Point USA chapter on Friday night.
—Peter D'abrosca , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Student communities are reeling after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, raising questions about what his death means for campus politics and free speech.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Ten-foot swells rose up and sent our boat reeling.
—Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
His assassination in Utah this week has left the country reeling, stirring questions about the state of democracy due to the rise of ideological polarization and political violence that many fear threatens the pillars of unfettered free speech and other constitutional rights.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
The university remained out of session, reeling after the horror of Kirk’s final appearance.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Many are still reeling from the news of the trade.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
At the time, Katharine reportedly found comfort in the Catholic church while reeling from mental and physical health challenges, according to the BBC.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
With both teams reeling from season-opening lopsided losses, Saturday night’s contest is crucial for both teams.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeling
Adjective
-
The two lovebirds were snapped looking giddy and in love if this blast from the past.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Today's talkers Travis Kelce is giddy.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Scott appeared to have done his job, spinning a full-count slider below the strike zone that Lee chased.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Ledford is a songwriter to watch, spinning urgent, gripping tales of life’s ups and downs in the midst of a wildly colorful and psychedelic musical universe.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The young men in Bruins blue and gold staggering off the field afterwards dazed, confused.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Roughly two-thirds of the state’s billionaires made their fortunes in finance and investments, including richest resident (former NYC mayor) Michael Bloomberg, who’s worth staggering $109 billion.—
Ella Malmgren,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Keen observers may witness small flocks of Phalaropes swimming in dizzy circles in the quiet ponds.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
-
There’s also something of the McIlroy highwire act with Alcaraz, especially in the breathless blitz of brilliance that rises to the top and then drops off from the dizzy heights of the rollercoaster.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But while the new movie dawdles on its way to Toxie’s origins, then rushes toward a finale with a lurching rhythm that verges on calculated ineptitude, its spirit never feels inauthentic.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The result, nearly eight months into his second term, is an economy that appears to be lurching into a new era of state control.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Here, Eady speaks with Deadline about the fun of weaving a fantastical and spiritual tale about the real threats of land loss and economic hardships in the Black community.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Guzman fell in love with the way Williams captures the beauty of everyday life, weaving humor, heartache and joy into a story that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeling. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share