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.

---

Etymology

Origin of reeling

reel ² ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reeling

Grocers are reeling from rising costs, while cash-strapped shoppers cut back on their habits and flock to rival discount stores.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

She leads a news operation that is still reeling from a series of crises that eventually brought down her predecessor, Deborah Turness, as well as director general Tim Davie.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Those are the values Americans clung to when 9/11 sent us reeling.

From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2026

Lee Chang-dong’s superb “Possible Love,” for instance, generates its explosively intimate finale by first investing us in the saga of strikers reeling from a brutal government crackdown.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

He opened his jaw, but the smell sent him reeling back.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---