REED Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

reed

noun

ˈrēd

Definition of reed

as in coward

a person without strength of character the congresswoman is but a reed who bends whichever way the political winds are blowing

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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 reed An animal’s croaking rides away with the wind, and two sparrows rise from the reeds. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026 Baydon's tattoo needle is a spiky thorn of a pomelo tree attached to a thin bamboo reed. — Marisol Delarosa, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 For weeks, migrants in the Spanish territory of Ceuta had gathered on a beach away from the city center, sleeping on cardboard sheets, under reed huts and guarding their few possessions in tattered plastic bags. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Many legal scholars regard these examples as slender reeds on which to build an entire theory of Presidential power. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reed

Noun

Some called them cowards; others opted for more colorful language.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026
There are always vultures circling, and always cowards caving.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of coward

Noun

The majority of the industry’s bycatch is jellyfish, pacific cod, and squid.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
The time is right, but the weather might not cooperate as SpaceX has lined up a predawn launch Monday that could offer viewers another serving of space jellyfish.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of jellyfish

Noun

Later, she’s entertained by a mouse running along the baseboard of one of London’s more elegant restaurants.

— Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Mackie plays a disgraced FBI agent locked in a cat-and-mouse game across Europe with Jamie Dornan’s career criminal, in the eight-episode heist drama.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of mouse

Noun

It is most commonly reported in cattle, but there have also been cases in sheep, goats, horses and alpaca.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
The winemaking team uses a herd of Texel sheep during the late winter and early spring to improve soil structure and fertility.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of sheep

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reechos

reed

reedified

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“Reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reed. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reed

noun

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