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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spells
Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The opposition dominates for spells but struggles to bypass his strong defence.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In regions that are predicted to be warmer than average, spring may arrive earlier, which means gardeners should watch for faster drying soil, early growth spurts that may need extra care, and young plants that may be stressed during warm spells.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
Directed by Joel Thompson, the centuries-old tale of demons, magic spells and a deal with the devil is brought to life with special effects and theatrical stage haze.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Just look at what’s happened in the cold spells of February 2021 and December 2022.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Did either of you struggle with any tongue-twister spells or names?
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That spells good news for HBO, since the network has already renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for Season 2, which is set to premiere next year.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The return of starting cornerbacks Jayden Bellamy and Antione Jackson and starting safeties Demari Henderson and Braeden Marshall spells good things for the secondary.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
The deal is a significant endorsement of Google’s AI capabilities, and likely spells bad news for competitor OpenAI.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
While a visit from Randy spells nothing but chaos, Flula Borg describes himself as the opposite.
—Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
That spells good news for Boise State redshirt junior quarterback Maddux Madsen, who often looks at his best when given time in the pocket.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Dec. 2025
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
Noun
In his two spells at Real Madrid, the most high-profile club in Europe, which has multiple newspapers dedicated to it, Zidane has spent entire seasons saying absolutely nothing of consequence whatsoever.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The opposition dominates for spells but struggles to bypass his strong defence.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In regions that are predicted to be warmer than average, spring may arrive earlier, which means gardeners should watch for faster drying soil, early growth spurts that may need extra care, and young plants that may be stressed during warm spells.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
Directed by Joel Thompson, the centuries-old tale of demons, magic spells and a deal with the devil is brought to life with special effects and theatrical stage haze.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Just look at what’s happened in the cold spells of February 2021 and December 2022.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Did either of you struggle with any tongue-twister spells or names?
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
Over time, the event has grown into the Camp Flog Gnaw Festival (its name spells Golf Wang in reverse), which sold out Dodger Stadium for two consecutive days in 2025.
—Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That spells good news for HBO, since the network has already renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for Season 2, which is set to premiere next year.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The return of starting cornerbacks Jayden Bellamy and Antione Jackson and starting safeties Demari Henderson and Braeden Marshall spells good things for the secondary.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
The deal is a significant endorsement of Google’s AI capabilities, and likely spells bad news for competitor OpenAI.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
While a visit from Randy spells nothing but chaos, Flula Borg describes himself as the opposite.
—Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
That spells good news for Boise State redshirt junior quarterback Maddux Madsen, who often looks at his best when given time in the pocket.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Dec. 2025
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
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
-
While stocks and bitcoin were lower, gold and silver surged higher, extending recent bouts of volatility.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Because her nutrition is inadequate, Kordia frequently experiences bouts of nausea and dizziness.—
Rachel Royster
January 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2026
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
-
Though particular and precise in an operating room, Toni possesses a magnetic zest for life and exudes warmth with patients and her students.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Humana possesses structural advantages in CenterWell (their care delivery division) and is focusing on operational efficiencies (aiming for over $100M in savings via AI and outsourcing).—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Indeed, the homogenization of taste, caused in part by streaming platforms, social media feeds and online algorithms, means that people – even VICs, for all their wealth – often want the same things.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That means hairstyles studded with gemstones and pearls, gemstones sparkling across Robbie's cheeks, and braids tied together with passion-red ribbons.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gamers will know Brok as the beloved weapons dealer with an unrivaled artistry for creative, foul-mouthed curses.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In Jujutsu Kaisen, heroic jujutsu sorcerers wage war against demonic creatures called curses and the curse users, who wield jujutsu powers for evil.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While Russian state media said that the ceasefire went into effect, Ukraine’s military said attacks continued throughout the period.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The horrific killing, attacks, and raids in Minneapolis rightfully overshadowed a weekend intended for buzzy discoveries and bidding wars.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rather than turn them into a harsh awakening, however, writer-director Walter Thompson-Hernández makes a refreshing point of holding fast to big dreams and bits of poetry anyway — not to deny the realities of life, but to embrace it in all its bittersweet richness.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The older one does Warners cartoon bits, really old-fashioned, cheap-ass funny vaudeville stuff.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spells. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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