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

Reeling from a depressed economy, then an explosive greening problem, then hurricanes, they were soon going to the statehouse, desperate for bailout money.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Reeling from heartache, Monaco seems to search for meaning and solace in the far graver misfortunes of a friend referred to as “R,” a political prisoner turned asylum seeker and the show’s most revisited subject.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2024

Reeling off a long list of changes that have been made within the company, he told me he disagreed "with this idea that there hasn't been full accountability throughout the organisation".

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2023

Reeling off statistics from memory, he says few people realize that Southern California has an impressive “peak prominence,” the combined distance from base to summit along its various ranges.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2023

Reeling in my nerves, I pressed on, inhaling the first page.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas