1
as in to possess
to cast a spell on
it was as if he had spelled the public into believing his ridiculous claims
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mean
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
1
as in curse
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
2
as in bout
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 while
an indefinite but usually short period of time
come rest a spell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spell
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Economists have told Newsweek that while the downgrade itself does not spell any new concerns for the American economy beyond potentially weakening already shaky market confidence, the conditions that prompted Moody's decision have long shadowed over the country's fiscal trajectory.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 19 May 2025
The always excellent Meghann Fahy plays a girl who is concerned that her sister (Molly Alcock) might have fallen too hard under the spell of her rich boss, played by Julianne Moore, who seems to court a legion of pastel-donning admirers.
—Lucy Ford, Time, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spell
Verb
The moment of overconfidence brought his two competitors back into play until Faizan — last year’s runner-up — spelled back-to-back words correctly.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Economists have told Newsweek that while the downgrade itself does not spell any new concerns for the American economy beyond potentially weakening already shaky market confidence, the conditions that prompted Moody's decision have long shadowed over the country's fiscal trajectory.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Noun
Even Frank de Boer, the former Netherlands international whose disastrous 77-day spell in charge in 2017 left Palace in danger of relegation, could be seen in Wembley’s media area.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 19 May 2025
The always excellent Meghann Fahy plays a girl who is concerned that her sister (Molly Alcock) might have fallen too hard under the spell of her rich boss, played by Julianne Moore, who seems to court a legion of pastel-donning admirers.
—Lucy Ford, Time, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell
Verb
-
The countries each possess about 170 nuclear weapons, according to the think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
-
In addition to their easily identifiable personas, these faces must possess genuine leadership qualities and backgrounds to guide the movement in the right direction.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
This might mean using AI to translate poetry from unfamiliar cultures, diving into scientific fields outside your expertise, or engaging with philosophical questions that stretch your thinking.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
Warmer ocean temperatures are contributing to more storms, NOAA said in its May forecast, because more heat means more energy to fuel activity.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Christopher Walken stars as a school teacher who comes out of a coma with a gift that feels more like a terrifying curse.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
While Rory McIlroy finally broke his 11-year curse to claim the green jacket, Bradley struggled, missing the cut with a 3-over-par.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Michael McKenzie McCallum was born Dec. 7, 1956, in Kingston, Jamaica, and began boxing as a teenager, racking up as many as 250 amateur bouts before turning pro in 1981.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
When the odds opened for this bout, Silva was listed as the +250 betting underdog to the -300 Van.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
According to a previous police statement, Pheobe had been living at a residence in Gin Gin for a while.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
27 May 2025
-
Miller was on the ground in pain for a while after the collision.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Moore's Michaela is mysterious, commanding, and beyond wealthy, described in the trailer and elsewhere as someone with the ability to charm into subservience.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
-
Viewers on TikTok were charmed by the emotional reunion.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
With Bitcoin presently trading around $106,000, this signifies a solid 55% gain on their investment.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
The ink on his crown — a large number 6 — signifies his status as the sixth member of a small but increasingly visible community: a local band of barbers and tattoo artists who call themselves Viet Chicanos.—
Stephanie Yang,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Then, in what might be one of the most fitting metaphors of parenting and family-building in horror-comedy history, everyone—Rohan, Josh, their parents, their partner's parents, and even their friend—start screaming the same garbled Latin incantation in an effort to confuse the demon.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Alice draws a circle around Lilia uttering some sort of incantation as Patti LuPone’s witch writhes on the floor in her glittery jump suit and orange coat.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share