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
Relevance
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
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
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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spell
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
24 June 2026
The Atlas Lions have also been looking really impressive during spells of their previous matches but will look to maintain their performance for a full 90 minutes in the final group clash.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
If Ohio is suddenly in play, that spells big problems for a GOP majority.
—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spell
Noun
Is family a curse, or will a loving coven break the spell?
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
24 June 2026
The Atlas Lions have also been looking really impressive during spells of their previous matches but will look to maintain their performance for a full 90 minutes in the final group clash.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Verb
But were those two spells the best representation of Marsch soccer?
—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
If Ohio is suddenly in play, that spells big problems for a GOP majority.
—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell
Noun
-
Morgan and her Judgment Day cronies tried to bribe Danhausen to put curses on their opponents.
-
The dust-ups might have driven the Honeywells away from their island paradise, more casualties of the lottery curse.
Noun
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The almost two-week-old truce has been under persistent strain, with the latest bout of attacks beginning after an Iranian projectile hit a cargo ship on Thursday, prompting strikes by the US, and then Tehran hitting Washington’s Gulf allies.
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But in the latest bout of public uncertainty, a senior Iranian official suggested this may not be the case.
Noun
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The strongest workplace models are the ones that support employee well-being while also strengthening performance, service, and organizational resilience.
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Is the implication that a Department official is more likely to divulge such information while, say, in line at Starbucks?
Verb
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Music industry experts reveal that successful artists possess crucial internal qualities beyond typical marketing tactics.
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For as long as most of us have been alive, the United States has possessed the most powerful military the world has ever seen.
Verb
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For some women who survived breast cancer that now means systemic hormones such as progesterone, estrogen and testosterone, unheard of for most women a decade ago.
-
There is no sudden death or golden goal at the World Cup, which means the full extra-time period will be played no matter how many goals are scored.
Noun
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The effect, when it is sung in unison by a crowd of 80,000 people, is akin to a kind of incantation.
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There is a bopping, rhythmic assonance to Ginsberg’s unspooling lines, more incantation than poetry.
Noun
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The British Army also provided protection from attacks by Native American tribes, giving many settlers little reason to support a rebellion.
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Twice in recent days, the United States has launched retaliatory strikes on Iran following drone attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Noun
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As adult influencers dominate online fashion culture, and tweens and teens see the same content as adults, there are fewer spaces for young people to develop styles of their own.
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Delta has bid for and appears to be the likely winner for control of two gates, the ticketing lobby and support space previously controlled by Spirit Airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Cite this Entry
“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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