reel 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reelnext
as in rotation
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point she slipped and, after an out-of-control reel, fell on her backside

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reel

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to spin
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around his mind reeled upon hearing the news that his employer had been indicted for fraud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able to stand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 reel
Noun
In mid-September, Oprah posted an Instagram reel wearing the most divine sweater, which combined a fisherman knit with delicate lace trim. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 2 Oct. 2026 But recovering from a second knee injury in as many years offers time for reflection, including that highlight reel which birthed his legend almost 10 years ago. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
At that time, the company’s Fisher-Price, Barbie and American Girl brands were struggling to connect with changing consumer tastes and Mattel was reeling from the recent bankruptcy of Toys R Us. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026 Iranian leaders believe that the United States is reeling, that the world is sympathetic to their cause, and that their citizens support them. — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
  1. rotation
  2. spin
  3. stagger
  4. roll
  5. swim
  6. weave
  7. wheel
  8. lurch
Noun
  • Officers are sent to this remote station on rotations of two or three months, with fresh water and food delivered weekly by trucks that make a five-hour journey across dusty desert roads.
    — Nathan Jaccard, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • While Rubin’s most recent looks have been crafted by makeup artist Shayna Gold, whose A-list client rotation also includes Jennifer Lawrence and Grace Gummer, she has not been named as the visionary behind this one.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • In the book, Lucy and Mina, the two main female characters caught up in the web of horror spun by the terrifying Transylvanian count Dracula, stand out as strong, intelligent and courageous.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Then came the surprising part The team used muon spin relaxation to look for extremely weak magnetic fields inside the material.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • But only weeks into his first season, as the Jets staggered to a 3-14 record, the team traded two of its best defensive players in cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The screening times were staggered, allowing Pawlikowski to hurry from one place to the next and introduce his film.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • Democratic divide As Republican donors open their wallets, some of Democrats’ biggest benefactors are missing from the DNC’s donor rolls.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Other key elements include roll-in showers with grab bars and handheld shower wands; raised toilet seats with grab bars; lowered light switches, thermostats, and mirrors; and wheelchair-accessible bathroom sinks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • The Perse version channels the country’s northern provinces along the Caspian Sea, which traditionally highlight a species of carp that swims in local waters.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The sprint-distance format had contestants swim 750 meters, bike 20,000 meters and run the final 5,000.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • The village's pedestrian-only strip weaves through small shops, restaurants, and boutiques, and there's a Naval Museum housed in a 19th-century captain’s mansion that highlights the island’s maritime history—and is worth a visit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Oilers didn’t have the same time and space to weave through traffic and choose their spots at will.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • That composure helped carry Garcia quickly through open-wheel racing.
    — Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • At each corner are split-rim, polished-aluminum OZ Racing wheels.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • Sometimes the wagon will lurch forward on that initial pull before settling into your walking rhythm.
    — Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The alternative is a region that lurches from crisis to crisis, and from one extreme to another.
    — DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of lurch

Phrases Containing reel

Browse Nearby Words

reeky
reel
reeled
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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reel

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