reeling
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Multiple countries, including U.S. allies, are reeling from the downturn in energy supply that once flowed freely through the chokepoint.
Gingersnipes shrieked, reeling back into the table, sending a clatter of teacups to the floor.
From Literature
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Silicon Valley is reeling from the seismic verdict delivered by an LA jury on Wednesday.
From BBC
A strong cyclone has affected liquefied natural gas plants in Australia, potentially adding more pressure to a market already reeling from massive supply disruption caused by war in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, consumers are already reeling from other climbing prices.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.