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

The figure represented the slowest increase since December 2022, when the country was reeling from an outbreak of Covid-19 infections after the abrupt scrapping of pandemic control policies.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Instead, reeling from oil and gas price aftershocks from Iran, the industrialized world is now running toward renewable energy.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

That makes Iran the one issue that could send markets reeling as early as next week if the leaders leave the summit without a breakthrough.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

Her family is reeling from the sudden loss of a woman with a gift for making the people around her feel seen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Sure, I love the idea of our family’s archenemies turning into sycophantic suck-ups, but when the strange actually materializes into reality, it definitely leaves you reeling.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman