reeling

American  

[ree-ling] / ˈri lɪŋ /

adjective

1. staggering or swaying; unable to walk straight because of a blow, intoxication, etc..

   It seemed as if a reeling, drunken giant had set the route for the race—it was so full of twists and turns.

2. in a state of mental or emotional shock; overwhelmed.

   As a reeling nation mourns its dead, investigators are trying to determine whether anyone was aware of the homicidal plan.

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Etymology

Origin of reeling

reel ² ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reeling

Other types of employers are reeling as well.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Around this time last year, the Chargers were reeling along the offensive line, having lost left tackle Rashawn Slater to a season-ending knee injury.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Latin America is already reeling from two disastrous quakes that struck Venezuela in June, killing more than 6,000 people and causing widespread destruction.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

Paul McCartney and John Lennon, too, rose fully to the occasion, reeling off such masterworks as “Eleanor Rigby” and “Tomorrow Never Knows,” not to mention a bravura single’s release featuring “Paperback Writer” and “Rain.”

From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026

The most notable one I could remember was an active Glitcher who said it felt exactly like someone had caught his stomach with a fish hook and was reeling it in at full tilt.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin