I will not detain the reader with the contents of our sea-log, which is full of tackings and reefings, of setting and taking in of sails, and many other manoeuvres[…].
Source: wiktionary
Reefing
Synonyms for "reefing" (9 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: curtail, furl, reduction of sail, reef, reefing operation.
- Sentence evidence is available for reefing, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "reefing".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "reefing"
Keep "reefing" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "reefing" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "reefing", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "reefing" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
4 entriesnautical termpolicy actionsail handlingsailing procedure
More specific
7 entriesbudget trimmingprogram pruningreef line setupreef pointreef point handlingreefed sailreefing schedule
Collocations
10 entriesmainsail reefingreef pointreefed sailreefing equipmentreefing linereefing pointsreefing procedurereefing schedulesail handlingsail reefing
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
5 total sentences available.
As matters were, our three girls never could be in our kitchen at one time without reefings and manœuvrings of their apparel which much impeded any other labor, and caused some loss of temper;[…].
Source: wiktionary
Many had the bald-headed sail rigging, so crews would not have to go aloft in the winds to do dangerous reefings.
Source: wiktionary
Alluvial goldfields and quartz reefings are in its vicinity, and good indications of coal.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 5 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "reefing"?
Closest matches include curtail, furl, reduction of sail, reef, reefing operation.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "reefing"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.