1
as in to possess
to cast a spell on
it was as if he had spelled the public into believing his ridiculous claims
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mean
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
1
as in curse
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
2
as in bout
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 while
an indefinite but usually short period of time
come rest a spell
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 spell
Mark Minevich, Time, 9 June 2025
Misspelled communities on the list included Cincinnati, which was spelled Cincinnatti.
—Scott Bauer, Twin Cities, 31 May 2025
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
Some only appear when visitors cast spells with interactive wands, like the mischievous spitting grindylow in the fountain by the Battle at the Ministry entrance or the mysterious demiguise in a window near Bar Moonshine.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spell
Verb
Allowing a foreign adversary to corner the market in robotics would spell major trouble for not only our economy but potentially our military and defense.
—Mark Minevich, Time, 9 June 2025
Misspelled communities on the list included Cincinnati, which was spelled Cincinnatti.
—Scott Bauer, Twin Cities, 31 May 2025
Noun
Future speakers will include psychics, energy healers and people who deal with spells and other otherworldly topics, Antico said.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
Some only appear when visitors cast spells with interactive wands, like the mischievous spitting grindylow in the fountain by the Battle at the Ministry entrance or the mysterious demiguise in a window near Bar Moonshine.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell
Verb
-
No monarch ever actually possessed a divine touch (or donkey ears), but historical records indicate at least two men with the name Midas oversaw the Phrygian kingdom during the first millennium BCE.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
12 June 2025
-
The Solar Orbiter observations also revealed that while the equator of the sun, where the most sunspots appear, possesses the strongest magnetic fields, those at the poles of our star have a complex and ever-changing structure.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
11 June 2025
Verb
-
This is what 42% containment means Containment indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2025
-
But that doesn’t mean Patullo and Co. shouldn’t proactively prepare wrinkles to keep opponents on their toes.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
The sheer volume of deals promoted by Amazon during sales like Prime Day is a blessing and a curse.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
12 June 2025
-
No conference in major college football can match the Big 12 for parity, which is both a blessing and curse.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Esparza won that December 2014 bout by submission, claiming the inaugural 115-pound title.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
The final bout saw AI Strategist return to the ring against Energy Guardian.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Things got so bad for a while that Trump himself even bought a candy-apple red Tesla from Musk and parked it outside the White House in a bid to help his then-buddy boost sales.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
-
Even with the Switch 2 now out, its predecessor will still be around for a while.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
After charming the world as one of sports’ favorite couples, thanks to their prowess on the track, their unwavering support of each other, and their TikTok-worthy dance moves, Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles and Jamaican Olympic bronze medalist Junelle Bromfield are getting married.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
3 June 2025
-
New restaurants rarely deliver as much historic character and charm as this one. 6.—
Eleanor Aldridge,
AFAR Media,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
The two infamous politicians were reviled in the North; their capture signified a great Union victory.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
-
The deployment of the Marines and National Guard in Los Angeles signifies an even more direct and troubling method of addressing public dissent, raising critical concerns about the erosion of democratic principles and constitutional rights.—
Emma K. Dashnaw,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
Then, in what might be one of the most fitting metaphors of parenting and family-building in horror-comedy history, everyone—Rohan, Josh, their parents, their partner's parents, and even their friend—start screaming the same garbled Latin incantation in an effort to confuse the demon.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Alice draws a circle around Lilia uttering some sort of incantation as Patti LuPone’s witch writhes on the floor in her glittery jump suit and orange coat.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share