spell 1 of 2

noun

Definition of spellnext
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

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2
as in bout
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder a dizzy spell that caused me to fall

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3
as in while
an indefinite but usually short period of time come rest a spell

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spell

2 of 2

verb

ˈspel How to pronounce spell (audio)
1
as in to possess
to cast a spell on it was as if he had spelled the public into believing his ridiculous claims

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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 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
Noun
The median spell of unemployment lasts about 11 weeks, and the average is more than six months, suggesting rising levels of long periods of joblessness. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026 To gain her life back and reverse the spell, Felicity recounts her college years. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
Next month's midterm elections could change the balance of power in Congress — and, if Democrats prevail, spell bad news for the arch starting in January. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 Instead of spelling the end of subscription growth, AI could instead put more pressure on companies to find new ways to convince customers of value. — Barbara Booth, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spell
  1. curse
  2. bout
  3. while
  4. possess
  5. mean
  6. incantation
  7. attack
  8. space
Noun
  • Depp’s character pleads for help to save her husband from his curse.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But maybe, Atlanta native and Midtown resident John Henry Hinkel suggested, Hollywood’s departure is more a blessing than a curse.
    — Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • The latest bout of violence has killed at least 959 people and wounded over 4,200 others, according to the World Health Organization.
    — AHMED AL-HAJ, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The two major bouts on the card include men’s and women’s ladder matches.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of bout
Noun
  • In that world, humans might retain (for a while) a desire to acknowledge the role of AI in those discoveries, even bestowing previously human-only awards upon the responsible AI agents.
    — Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • There was another delay of almost an hour while, Verstappen said, teams were trying to update the software to handle slippery conditions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of while
Verb
  • Schmitt’s staff said the senator did not possess any texts that referenced Clark.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2026
  • When new, concrete possesses a thin, temporarily protective layer that, if not maintained, will wear away, exposing the interior, which gradually crumbles.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of possess
Verb
  • Amid the backlash, the White House has defended the television spots as public service announcements meant to educate voters and promote patriotism.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
  • To be clear, uncertainty does not mean all outcomes are created equal.
    — Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of mean
Noun
  • Fascinatingly, however, the incantations are neither soothing nor conciliatory.
    — Eleanor Johnson, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Rifling through the belongings of her great-aunt Jet (Wiest) for a spell to save Gideon, Kylie finds the Book of Ravens, which cryptically hints at an incantation that might break the Owens’ love curse.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of incantation
Noun
  • In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • An inmate died in an apparent homicide Tuesday morning after an attack by another prisoner at California State Prison, Sacramento, state corrections officials said.
    — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • In the kids space, Studiocanal is also adapting Dermot O’Leary’s Toto the Ninja Cat and Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking with Heyday.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Drawing from this, Songmont distills this ancient presence into the exhibition with a contemporary, walk-in space defined by clean, minimalist lines.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of space

Phrases Containing spell

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speedy
spell
spellbind
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Cite this Entry

“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spell. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spell

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